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Your nights out with dead legends

Mondo's picture

Ian Dury, John Martyn and errrm Razzle from Hanoi Rocks are the only names I can claim to have seen alive and gigging. Surely someone (anyone) can top my sorry threesome.

Collectively The Massive must stretch to a star-spangled roll call of dead ledges seen live - but which furious gig-goer has bagged the greatest number or heaviest hitting?

A mate of mine once saw Sinatra live purely on the so-I-can-say-I've-seen-him premise. Is his Frankness toppable?

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I can match the Sinatra

Saw him in '84 at t'Albert 'All.

Joe Strummer is the only other one that instantly springs to mind.

Hang on. Richey Edwards

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Ahh_Bisto | 29 January 2010 - 12:59pm

I've seen dead people

Kurt Cobain, Jeff Buckley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Phil Lynott, Joey Ramone, Johnny Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Stiv Bators, Ian Dury, Lux Interior, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Arthur Lee, Freddy Mercury, Joe Strummer, Elliott Smith, Richie Manic (note: may not be dead), Steve Marriott, Razzle (the Hanoi Rocks drummer, not the porn mag), Wendy O. Williams, Rick Wright, Johnny Thunders, Jam Master Jay, Townes Van Zandt, Ray Charles, Stuart Adamson (Big Country), Steve Clark (Def Leppard), Rob Collins (The Charlatans), Brian Connolly (The Sweet), Layne Staley (Alice in Chains), Jason Thirsk (Pennywise), Will Sin (The Shamen), Jon Lee (Feeder), Chris Acland (Lush).

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Fraser Lewry | 29 January 2010 - 1:03pm

Jeffrey Lee Pierce Fraser?

I would also add John Bonham and,at the top of the hill, Johnny Cash who, after the show, returned my trembling hand shake with a bear paw grip,

'Johnny...you...you...are the best!'

'Thank you very much'.

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D.Green | 29 January 2010 - 1:14pm

Whoops

Forgot Lux Interior too.

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Fraser Lewry | 29 January 2010 - 1:24pm

Epic Soundtrax

?

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James EB | 30 January 2010 - 4:14pm

Blimey Fraser...

If I was in a band now I wouldn't want you coming to review any of our gigs...you should change your screen name to Jonah or Hex!

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Retro Man | 29 January 2010 - 1:34pm

Leave it aaaaaaatt.

It's taken.

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Jonah | 30 January 2010 - 9:32am

Forgot about these .. Stiv and Brian Connolly

Both at the Pink Toothbrush - formerly Crocs (not on the same bill)

I had tickets for Stevie Ray Vaughn at Hammersmith . But did get to see Jeff Healey at The Town and Country

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Mondo | 29 January 2010 - 1:37pm
Beezer | 29 January 2010 - 2:22pm

Fraser wins!

My dead set is just Elliott Smith, Joe Strummer (both in the above list) and Michael Jackson.

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Hannah | 29 January 2010 - 6:06pm

You've reminded me

Stuart Adamson but in his Skids days.

Gosh, Chris Acland as well. My wife loved Lush: it was our first "proper" date seeing them together!!

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Ahh_Bisto | 29 January 2010 - 1:06pm

Lux Interior

Lux Interior , Chris Acland , Jeffrey Lee Pierce , Joey Ramone .
I think that's it.

Oh Arthur Lee too ...shame on me

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jamesieboy37 | 29 January 2010 - 3:01pm

I've done a few.

The years elude me but; Jeff Buckley at Glasgow Garage (astonishing), Richey Edwards at King Tuts in Glasgow (not my taste), Arthur Lee in the Voodoo Rooms (surprisingly brilliant), Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros in Kings Tuts again (grown men wept tears of joy). There have been more but the names elude me right now...

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ganglesprocket | 29 January 2010 - 1:24pm

Marc Bolan

T.Rex were my first "proper" concert.

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Beany | 29 January 2010 - 1:32pm

Mrs. F

bunked off school and went with a friend to the airport to welcome home a little band that had been in the US. They were called The Beatles. Then she went along to the TV studios and saw them perform. So we can add George and John to the list.

In the spirit of adding to rather than repeating names above, I saw the original Cockney Rebel with Paul Jeffreys on bass: he died in the Lockerbie disaster. I've seen Tammy Wynette. And dear old Ronnie Lane. And John Entwhistle (but not Keith Moon, unfortunately).

I have never seen or knowingly listened to Hanoi Rocks.

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Mark JF | 29 January 2010 - 1:37pm

Here are the ones I can remember right now

Don Cherry, Ian Dury, Charlie Charles (that one Blockheads gig has the same count as the Ramones gigs!) Lux Interior, Bryan Gregory, Link Wray, Jeffrey Lee Pierce, Joe Strummer, Joey & Johnny & Dee Dee Ramone, Johnny Thunders, Miles Davis, Lee Brilleaux, Billy Higgins (astonishingly brilliant and prolific jazz drummer).

And in common with everyone else here, Razzle from Hanoi Rocks.

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el hombre malo | 29 January 2010 - 1:34pm

Rock'n'roll cadavers ...

Frank Sinatra & Sammy Davis Jnr. (together), Ray Charles, Bo Diddley, Freddie Mercury, James Brown, Linda McCartney, John Martyn, Billy Preston, Stuart Adamson, Rick Wright, Ian Dury, and best of all Rick Danko who filled a tiny venue (in every sense) with a desperate, haunting acoustic set.

EDIT: With the benefit of further reflection and, it has to be said, reading other posts can I add: John Entwistle, Sterling Morrison (with the VU, albeit on the reunion gigs ... still ...), Danny Federici, Cozy Powell (with Peter Green), Mick Green (with Van) and Edwin Starr.

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Steven C | 29 January 2010 - 6:56pm

Edwin Starr

did a turn at a work Christmas Party I went to about 10 years ago. He was blimmin' good as well.

Only other one is Richie Edwards.

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milkybarnick | 29 January 2010 - 1:41pm

Er...was that a dodgy insurance company

...based in Manchester by any chance? If it was I was working that night. Atomic Kitten mimed their entire set as well.

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Beany | 29 January 2010 - 9:21pm

'Fraid not

It was a well known Japanese car manufacturer based in Surrey. No Atomic Kitten either, but that was probably a blessing rather than a curse.

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milkybarnick | 29 January 2010 - 11:43pm

I saw him at the MPA Xmas

I saw him at the MPA Xmas lunch probably around the same time. Played plenty of old.

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woodface | 30 January 2010 - 8:34pm

At first I thought not many,

but the list grows: Paul Kossoff, Lowell George, Phil Lynott, Joe Strummer, Ian Dury, Bob Marley, Jacob Miller (Inner Circle), Gary Holton (Heavy Metal Kids), Jim Capaldi, Chris Wood, John Martyn, Alex Harvey, Alex McNichol (Green On Red), John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Ronnie Lane, Steve Marriott, Carl Radle (Derek & the Dominos & EC bands), Jay Bennett, Curtis Mayfield, Ella Fitzgerald, Joe Pass, Peter King, Freddie King, ALbert King, Sonny Terry, Brownie McGee, & Rory Gallagher.
Also Bo Diddley, Robert Palmer, Dizzy Gillespie, Hubert Sumlin, Danny Federici.

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Carl Parker | 29 January 2010 - 7:28pm

Ian Curtis, John MecGeogh

Ian Curtis, John MecGeogh (with Magazine and Siouxsie and the Banshees)and Miles Davis.

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Andy Lynes | 29 January 2010 - 1:47pm

That Razzle got around a bit didn't he?

Cripes, and I had the nerve to call Fraser a Jonah...

Razzle (surprise!)
Joe Strummer
Ian Dury
Sterling Morrison
John Entwistle
Jeffrey Lee Pierce
Joey, Johnny & Dee Dee
Lux Interior
Bryan Gregory
Raven (Killing Joke)
Kurt Cobain
Rob (Charlatans)
Richey Manic
Stiv Bators
Rob Heaton (New Model Army)
Paul Fox (Ruts)
John Lee (Feeder)
Stu P Didiot (Charge)
Kirsty MacColl
Screaming Lord Sutch
John McGeoch (Magazine, PIL etc)
Mark Sandman (Morphine)
Jay Bennett
Rob Jones (Wonderstuff)

Anybody got any bands they really really hate? Pay for my ticket and beer money and I'll go and put the curse on them...

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Retro Man | 29 January 2010 - 1:58pm

Crikey

I'd forgotten Mark Sandman and Jay Bennett.

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Fraser Lewry | 29 January 2010 - 2:00pm

The Bass Thing (Rob Jones)

My how time flies.

I always thought he was the one who kept Miles Hunt's ego in check and was the quality control guy. Sadly missed.

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Six Dog | 29 January 2010 - 2:52pm
Hannah | 29 January 2010 - 6:07pm

Also from The Wonderstuff

Don't forget the drummer Martin Gilks

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stopgostop | 29 January 2010 - 11:35pm

Carl Wilson

Carl Wilson
Pete De frietas
Richey Manic
Edwin Starr
Junior Walker
Stuart Adamson
Curtis Mayfield
etc.
lots, I suppose. But that's life. We all come and go.
Saddest, in a way, thinking about this topic is the London Boys, a ropey Eurodisco duo who had a couple of hits in the late '80s and were killed together in a car crash in Austria. They were nice chaps.

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Richard Lowe | 29 January 2010 - 2:01pm

Duke Ellington

Was taken by my Dad to a matinee in Glasgow when I was young (probably about 12). It was very short (about 45 mins) and must have cost a fortune, so lots of disappointment for my parents - but at least I can say I saw one of the greatest jazz legends live.

Oh, and John Martyn, Stuart Adamson, Rick Wright, jazzers Barney Kessel, Charlie Byrd, and no doubt others I can't remember.

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millymollymandy | 29 January 2010 - 2:08pm

Comedians count too

Frankie Howerd spent his war years in Southend and often returned to the town test out new material. I caught him at Southend's Palace Theatre in 89

Terry Scott - saw him in a summer season 'end of the pier' show Bournemouth 88

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Mondo | 29 January 2010 - 2:11pm

Eric & Ernie

That's Morecambe & Wise

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Beany | 29 January 2010 - 9:23pm

Well in that case...

Bernie Winters
Sandy ("Can you hear me, mother") Powell
Dustin Gee

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Trevor_Raggatt | 30 January 2010 - 2:11pm

Frankie

Howerd

Malcolm Hardee. Bill Hicks. Bob Monkhouse.

And the last was the funniest of the lot. R.I.P one and all.

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Sheev | 1 February 2010 - 6:44pm

Me 'n' Bob...

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pocket.calculator | 2 February 2010 - 2:30pm

Was lucky enough to see

the extraordinary Spalding Gray a few years ago, shortly before his death, in a one man show [not this]

otherwise I think my list is similar to many others' above

Garcia
Wright
Federici
Entwistle
Brecker
Martyn

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NickW | 2 February 2010 - 7:25pm

We saw him too

Were you at Hammersmith Riverside when he did the Monster In The Box monologue?
I was reminded of this just the other day when listening to the podcast. DH said at the end that he had been talking to a Guardian journalist about us bloggers / readers organising our own.
Spalding Gray at Riverside was organised by The Guardian. When we were walking out we were behind two guys, who must have been Guardian journos as one said to the other "You realise, these are our readers". They didn't choose to mingle.

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Carl Parker | 2 February 2010 - 7:50pm

No,

Boston about 10-11 years ago [*] -we were over there on a work trip for a while and it seemed the thing to do-little did we know what a sad turn his life would take.

Not quite sure without looking it up what the monologue was called.

[*-had a look at the ticket and it was March 2000]

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NickW | 2 February 2010 - 11:24pm

Hmmm...

James Brown
Freddie Mercury
John Lee Hooker (in a church in Oberlin, Ohio - extraordinary)
Jeff Buckley
Frank Zappa
John Martyn
Kurt Cobain
Richey Edwards (in person, I talked to him about Wales in the bar of North London Poly shortly before he went missing)
Albert Collins
Albert King
Johnny Copeland
Jeff Healey
Robert Palmer
Jerry Garcia
Michael Brecker
Miriam Makeba
Stuart Adamson
John Entwistle
Rick Wright
Davy Graham
Art Blakey
Ronnie Scott
Al Casey
Joe Pass
Oscar Peterson
Dizzy Gilespie

There are probably more. The older I get the more fortunate I feel to have seen these musicians play.

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Patrick Crowther | 29 January 2010 - 2:20pm

Well...

Mick Green
Ray Charles
Bo Diddley
Roy Orbison
Strummer
Dury
Ramones x 3
Don Cherry
Howard Pickup
Pete De Freitas
Lux Interior
Bryan Gregory
Miles Davis
Sam Phillips (does he count?)
Waylon Jennings
Jeffrey Lee Pierce
Chris Gaffney
Freddie Mercury
Stuart Adamson
James Brown
Les Gray
John Martyn
Lee Brilleaux
Sandy Denny
Alex Harvey
Luther Vandross
Michael Hutchence
Trevor Lucas
Billy MacKenzie
Nico
Jerry Nolan
Johnny Thunders
Maurice Gibb
Del Shannon
Biggie Tempo
Ricky Wilson
Porter Waggoner
Lee Allen
John Lee Hooker
Link Wray
Tammy Wynette
Rick Wright
Boz Burrell
Danny Federici
Rory Gallagher
Isaac Hayes
Johnnie Johnson
Arthur Lee
Billy Preston
Screaming Lord Sutch
Kirsty

There'll be more I'm sure....

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MarkHagen | 29 January 2010 - 3:37pm

What? No Razzle

Mark...?!

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Retro Man | 29 January 2010 - 3:50pm

Howard Pickup

of the Adverts? I didn't know he'd died.

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badartdog | 30 January 2010 - 12:52am

Josef Locke

Just me then?

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Archie Valparaiso | 29 January 2010 - 2:24pm

Josef Locke is Dead??!!???

Boo hoo hoo, etc

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DrJ | 29 January 2010 - 5:37pm

Hallo

Arch, real guid to see ye aboot again.

noticed your comments on the iPad thread too, come back man

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James Blast | 29 January 2010 - 10:18pm

Hooray!

Welcome back Archie!

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Hannah | 29 January 2010 - 10:38pm

Davy Graham

Saw him play (for the first & only time)in a pub in Kilburn a few months before he died. His fingers couldn't do what his mind was telling them. Still glad I was there tho'

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BMoff | 29 January 2010 - 2:29pm

Saw him and Bert Jansch play together at the Edinburgh Festival.

The real surprise was how gracious and polite he was to people who came up to him afterwards.

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ganglesprocket | 29 January 2010 - 4:37pm

Surprisingly few I think

Sonny Bono
Freddie Mercury
Joe Strummer
Richard Wright
John Entwistle
Keith Moon
Gary Holton
Carl Radle

There must be more...

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Paul Waring | 29 January 2010 - 2:29pm

Um...

I think a grand total of none...

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Joe R | 29 January 2010 - 3:40pm

Dave?

Does David Sylvian out of Japan count? While not technically "dead" as such, he might as well have been.

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Sting Ono | 29 January 2010 - 4:01pm

Harsh!

How about those that really should by rights be long gone...?

Iggy, Brian Wilson, Keef...that Docherty bloke etc etc

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Retro Man | 29 January 2010 - 4:05pm

Don't get me wrong...

I adore the man's music. But when I saw him with Japan, back in the day, he wasn't exactly what you'd call a "warm" performer.

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Sting Ono | 29 January 2010 - 4:33pm

True...

he's not one for on stage banter is he?

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Retro Man | 29 January 2010 - 6:06pm

Oh yes he is...

Hello Marienbad! How ya doin? Allright? Yeah!

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Dr.Pill | 29 January 2010 - 10:09pm

Uriah Heep

David Byron & Gary Thain, Strummer, FZ, Alex Harvey, Stuart Adamson, Rick Wright, Entwistle & Moon, Ramones x 3, Gary Holton in both Heavy Metal Kids and The Doomed, Mick Green, Freddie Mercury, Pete De Frietas, Robert Palmer, Paul Kossoff, Ron Aspery & Tony Hicks (Back Door), Tracey Pew & Roland S. Howard (Birthday Party). Not a Razzle in sight.

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James Blast | 29 January 2010 - 4:17pm

In addition to many names already mentioned, I saw...

Muddy Waters (London, 1980)
Malcolm Owen (Hemel Hemstead, late 70s)
Vic Chesnutt (Stockholm, 1990s)
Lhasa (Stockholm, around 2006) - quite brilliant, by the way

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duco01 | 29 January 2010 - 4:52pm

Er...

Ian Dury, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Roy Orbison, Bo Diddley, John Lennon, George Harrison, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Viv Stanshall, Mick Green, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Adam Faith, Billy Fury, John Bonham, Ike Turner, Johnny Burnette, Sonny Boy Williamson, Sandy Denny,Count Basie, Howlin Wolf, Mick Ronson, Syd Barrett.

Dead legends I didn't see and wish I had: Elvis, Buddy Holly, Patsy Cline, Gram Parsons, Ray Charles.

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mikethep | 29 January 2010 - 5:15pm

Ramones, all gone

I can't think of any that aren't already mentioned by others, one of which is the Ramones and I was trying to think if there are any other well known bands that have now had all their original lineup gathered up by the reaper.

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JohnW | 29 January 2010 - 5:22pm

When did Tommy die?

Thought he was still alive and kicking....

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Paul Waring | 29 January 2010 - 5:37pm

He is

.

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Formbyman | 29 January 2010 - 6:56pm

Johnny Joey Dee Dee ... good times

As a purist by my reckoning is that Tommy isn't an original member. He was brought in because he happened to be in the right place at the right time when it was decided that it was too hard for Joey to sing and drum at the same time - this wasn't the Eagles after all!

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JohnW | 29 January 2010 - 8:06pm

Bit harsh on Tommy I feel

Played on all the early stuff as well as producing - for me he's as much an original brudder as the other three.

And if Tommy's not an original Ramone - where does that leave Ringo in the Fabs? Or - even - Strummer in the Clash?

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Paul Waring | 29 January 2010 - 9:12pm

Original v Classic

I think it's the difference between original and classic lineups. I don't think anybody would claim that Ringo was in the original Beatles lineup but he was clearly in the classic one.

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JohnW | 29 January 2010 - 11:43pm

Other well known bands...?

The Jimi Hendrix Experience is the only one that comes to mind.

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nicktf | 29 January 2010 - 10:38pm

A few not mentioned yet, many who have been...

Kelly Groucutt
Roy Castle
Cozy Powell
Gary Holton (but in the theatre - it was a musical tho)
Phil Lynott
Albert King
Albert Collins
Larry Norman
Stuart Adamson
Billy Preston
Uriel Jones
Joe Hunter
Tim Hart

[addition - Lee Brilleaux, how could I have forgotten him?]

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Trevor_Raggatt | 30 January 2010 - 2:05pm

It would appear that there are a lot of

Skids and Hanoi Rocks fans amongst the Word Blog community.

I think Stuart Adamson has overtaken Razzle now.

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Retro Man | 29 January 2010 - 6:21pm

Ah,yes i remember them well.

Keith Moon,John Bonham,Phil Lynott,George Melly,Ronnie Scott,Nick Mason,Marc Bolan,Sandy Denny,John Martyn,Alex Harvey,Lowell George,Bob Marley,Rick Danko,John
Hooker and probably many more.

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Pencilsqueezer | 29 January 2010 - 6:40pm

Nick Mason?

*the* Nick Mason? Surely him still lives.

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Skuds | 29 January 2010 - 7:38pm

Ooops!

Sorry.Mean't Rick Wright. These senior moments are becoming more frequent.

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Pencilsqueezer | 30 January 2010 - 8:49am

Add one more for Stuart Adamson

also amongst others:

Lhasa, Pete De Frietas, Arthur Lee, Ali Farke Toure, S E Rogie, Lee Brilleaux, Paul Fox

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BigJimBob | 29 January 2010 - 6:46pm

I'm sure there are more but these spring to mind

Ian Dury, Joe Strummer, John Entwistle, Keith Moon, Lowell George, Lee Brilleaux, Alex Harvey, Freddie Mercury, Linda McCartney

And if you're bringing comedians in:

Frankie Howard, Spike Milligan

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Thomas the Rhymer | 29 January 2010 - 6:58pm

Not many...

Arthur Lee
Jay Bennett
Jesse 'Guitar' Taylor
Alan Hull

and probably a couple of members of local bands.

I did also get to hear James Brown at a festival, but he was several fields away at the time.

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JQW | 29 January 2010 - 7:07pm

Nick Drake

and he were dead good! Free Trade Hall Manchester supporting Fairports

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Bingham | 29 January 2010 - 7:15pm

You win!

.

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Johan | 29 January 2010 - 9:45pm

oh and

the late great Mary Asquith

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Bingham | 29 January 2010 - 7:16pm

Just the three I think

Rick Wright
Lee Brilleaux
Phil Lynott

Oh and Helno. That's four then.

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Skuds | 29 January 2010 - 7:39pm

The late Robert Plant...

Not dead. He was just so flippin late playing with his band of chummy mates in Manchester 'cos he snuck off to see Wolves getting a right thrashing at the Reebok Stadium and got trapped in the traffic.

Serves the bastard right. He was crap too.

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Beany | 29 January 2010 - 9:26pm

I concur

Plant cancelled a Belfast gig in the late 80's because he was a bit scared by a downturn in the security situation. Crowded House made it across the same week, and still get credit for that locally. Percy does not.

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Steven C | 1 February 2010 - 6:30pm

Miles Davis

Freddie Hubbard
Michael Brecker
Frank Sinatra
Rick Wright
Stuart Adamson
Arthur Lee
Cozy Powell
Don Cherry
John Martyn
Mel Galley
Joe Henderson
Lester Bowie

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Johan | 29 January 2010 - 9:57pm

no Uriah Heep fans

I see :(

and lemme add Daryl Sweet, drummer of the Nazareths to my list

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James Blast | 29 January 2010 - 10:15pm

Oh, & I had a couple of real-life nights out with Tony Capstick

(we used to work together years back).

Does that count? He was number 3 in the UK singles chart back in 1981!

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Hannah | 29 January 2010 - 10:16pm

I'll have to Google™

if there's no further info forthcoming Hannah...

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James Blast | 29 January 2010 - 10:21pm

Cappo was something else...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Capstick
(Hadn't realised til just now he was only 59 when he died.)

Terrible shock. Lovely man. Somewhat troubled though.

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Hannah | 29 January 2010 - 10:48pm

thankee

but I'm still none the wiser

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James Blast | 29 January 2010 - 11:01pm

haha!

so, what would you like to know?

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Hannah | 29 January 2010 - 11:09pm

Flippin' eck

Do you want it on a plate? He would be on my list too, except I'm not doing one. Damn I just have...

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Beany | 29 January 2010 - 11:33pm

ah but

I is a Jock, y'see

if I mentioned Hector Nicol or somesuch you'd all scratch yer nappers

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James Blast | 30 January 2010 - 12:04am

Hector Nicol!

He's amazing! He's my favourite!

(OK, you got me, I'd be scratching my napper if I could be sure where it was)

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Hannah | 30 January 2010 - 8:16am

Yir

heid! :D

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James Blast | 30 January 2010 - 8:09pm

IIRR...

Johnny Thunders, Jerry Nolan, Sid Vicous, Lee Brilleaux, Ian Dury, Joe Strummer, Lux Interior, Bryan Gregory, Alex Harvey, ¾ ofThe Ramones, Ian Curtis, Viv Stanshall, Robert Quine, Dennis Wilson, Curtis Mayfield, Ronnie van Zandt, Tim Buckley. Lord this is depressing, I'll stop.

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Dr.Pill | 2 February 2010 - 12:34pm

Quine

what a cool guitarist, saw him with Richard Hell around when Blank Generation came out. The epitome of a New York Muso.

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BigJimBob | 2 February 2010 - 12:44pm

Indeed...

his work with Matthew Sweet was also excellent.

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Retro Man | 2 February 2010 - 3:32pm

Also he must have been the only

ex-tax lawyer guitarist in rock. Wonder if people like Richard Hell, Lou Reed and Lloyd Cole's asked his advice when he was playing in their bands.

Now there's a thread: unlikely previous careers before fame.

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BigJimBob | 2 February 2010 - 6:09pm

oh, what fun...

Sid Vicious
Tommy Bolin
Bon Scott

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Nick Duvet | 29 January 2010 - 10:41pm

concise,

influential and rather vital - WIN!

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James Blast | 29 January 2010 - 10:45pm

Bolin

Where did you see Bolin? With Purple? I still play his solo stuff a lot.

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Johan | 2 February 2010 - 11:22pm

Yes it was Purple

wish I'd seen him playing his solo stuff in the band with Narada Michael Walden. I have a CD of his first solo show, where they play material from Teaser and also a track from the first NMW album, a song called Delightful. Really good and Tommy plays one of those blazing lyrical solos. On youtube, there's a version from the same tour:

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Nick Duvet | 4 March 2010 - 4:05am

Good post, Dave...

I'm asure I'll be thinking about this for the next hour (I MUST have seen more, surely, I'll be musing to myself...) but off the cuff I can only think of these:

Townes Van Zandt
Davy Graham
Tal Farlow
Hubert Sumlin
Jimmie Rodgers (the bluesman - not the hillbilly train driver who died in the '30s or whenever it was!)
Brian Connolly (ages ago - forgot that till someone mentioned his name above)
Lonnie Donegan
Jimmy Smith (the jazz organ fellow)
Frankie Kennedy (Altan mainman)
John Martyn

...there must be more, there MUST be more...

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Colin H | 30 January 2010 - 12:44am

Lonnie Donnegan

I saw him in consecutive years at the Fleadh in Finnsbury Park. The first time I called in en route from the main field to the gents, just to say that I had 'seen him', and stayed for the rest of his set with legs crossed. The next year I made sure that I was there from the start with an empty bladder. He was terrific both times. He was a superb performer and seemed to be a warm man, honestly appreciative of the affection coming from us in the audience.
'Great set earlier from Lonnie Donnegan; the man who started it all' (Richard Thompson from the stage appearing after LD on the second of those two Fleadhs).

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Gatz | 30 January 2010 - 1:05am

Bon Scott (AC/DC)

Chuck Wagon (The Dickies)
Joe Strummer (The Clash)
Stuart Adamson (Skids/Big Country)
Pete DeFreitas (Bunnymen)
John McGeogh (Banshees/Armoury Show)
Swells/Seething Wells (supporting the Jam)

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badartdog | 30 January 2010 - 12:49am

I forgot

I'd seen The Armoury Show and Earl Brutus too

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James Blast | 30 January 2010 - 3:33pm

I was waiting for Sid and Bon Scott.

And there's not been a lot of mentions for John Bonham, either.

My list is short and a bit boring but there is one name on it which has yet to appear. A chap called William "Hammy" Howell who was the pianist in the original Darts lineup. He died of heart failure in 1999 aged 45. Darts were the first band I loved and the first gig I went to was one of theirs at the Southampton Gaumont, 9th June 1978.

Another is Paul Hester, drummer with Crowded House. Saw them twice at Pompey Guildhall.

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Lenny Law | 30 January 2010 - 1:05am

Another two (sadly)

Les Harvey - Stone The Crows
Ronnie Van Zant - Lynyrd Skynyrd

*edit - how could I forget Ted Hawkins? Discovered and championed by Andy Kershaw, I have an LP signed by the lovely man.

*edit2 - lovely man for signing my LP cover. Don't want the Daily Mule on my case ;-}

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Beany | 30 January 2010 - 11:49am

I'm sorry to say this Beany but...

...I know the man who ran Ted's record label and he was dropped because the label were rung up by the Daily Mail with apparently proveable info of a dark nature on the man. I believe it was published at the time, but I won't repeat it here in case not.

Anyway... I'll add James Griffin & Mike Botts of Bread to my earlier list...

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Colin H | 30 January 2010 - 1:48am

My friend...

...Martin Gilks, late of the Wonder Stuff. Amazing drummer and even more amazing bloke.

Paul Raven (Killing Joke)
Colorblind James (of his own Experience)
Joe Strummer
Joe Zawinul
Nick Sanderson (Earl Brutus, Clock DVA, the Gun Club, Train Driver in Eye Liner)
Paul Hester
Cornelius Bumpus
Charlie Byrd

0
pocket.calculator | 30 January 2010 - 10:07am

Am I the first

to mention the legend that was...John Peel? His legendary platter spinning evening.

Definitely the first to mention Mel Pritchard, drummer with Barclay James Harvest, died of a heart attack at the age of 56. *sigh*

0
Beany | 30 January 2010 - 11:54am

Peely

yep I should have put him in too.

0
BigJimBob | 30 January 2010 - 2:47pm

Mine are probably not too original

Phil Lynott, Arthur Lee, John Martyn, Steve Marriott, Michael Hedges, Ray Charles, Jeff Buckley, Paul Hester, Chris Whitley.

One for those of an actuarial bent - having been to 85 gigs I'm pretty clear on remembering, that's just shy of 10% of the gigs I've ever been to.

0
Harold Holt | 30 January 2010 - 1:54pm

Michael Hedges...

...wish I'd seen him play live.

0
pocket.calculator | 30 January 2010 - 2:19pm

He was absolutely brilliant, ....

...on his own at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco, and I don't think I've ever seen one person produce that many musical threads simultaneously. Sounded like half a dozen guitarists up there. The pieces sounded almost identical to the records, at least to my cloth ears.

0
Harold Holt | 31 January 2010 - 3:11am

The late great Alex Harvey at the late great

Mayfair in the Toon

0
chabsy | 30 January 2010 - 2:03pm

John Martyn

Supporting The Verve at Haigh Hall in 1998.

Hand-picked at the request of Verve guitarist Nick McCabe, he got short shrift from the beer boys in the crowd and it was all quite uncomfortable.

That was the only time I got to see him, which makes me sad.

0
Lucifer Sam | 30 January 2010 - 3:41pm

Odetta

and Nico.

I'm sure there are more...

0
Lando Cakes | 30 January 2010 - 7:20pm

I've just remembered...

...Lee Brilleaux [have I spelt that right?], circa 1989 at Queen's University Union, with three faceless guys making up the rest of Dr Feelgood. The anonymous guys plus one are still doing the rounds as Dr F. Which seems a bit weird.... #

My compelling memory of Lee that night was of him walking through the crowd from public entrance to backstage entrance about 10 mins before the show carrying a newly dry-cleaned suit. He didn't say a word. Not sure he said anythuing much from the stage either but, bloody hell, it was Lee Brilleaux - say no more.

Except this: why on earth is Oil City Confidential not screening anywhere in Northern Ireland?!

0
Colin H | 30 January 2010 - 9:28pm

Surprising how few times Rory Gallagher shows up...

Rory Gallagher
Les Harvey
Robert Palmer
Bo Diddley
Bill Haley
Screaming Lord Sutch
Paul Kossoff
Alan Hull
Darrell Sweet (Nazareth)
John Bonham
Rick Laird (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
Frank Zappa
Phil Lynott
Chris Wood, Jim Capaldi, Rebop Kwaku Ba (Traffic)
Alex Harvey
John McGeoch (Magazine)
Tim Buckley
Rick Danko, Richard Manuel
Ronnie Van Zandt, Allen Collins, Leon Wilkeson, Billy Powell, Steve Gaines
Lowell George
Dennis Wilson, Carl Wilson
Rick Wright (Pink Floyd)
Norton Buffalo
Graham Chapman (Pythons)
Jimmy McCulloch (Stone The Crows/Wings)
Danny Federici
Keith Moon, John Entwistle
Hughie Thomasson, Billy Jones, Frank O’Keefe (Outlaws)
Carl Radle
Mick Green (Pirates)
Ian Dury
Joe Strummer
Joey, Johnny, Dee Dee Ramone
Lee Brilleaux
Willy DeVille
Muddy Waters
Albert Collins
John Martyn
Billy Preston
Linda McCartney
Jeffrey Lee Pierce (Gun Club)
Jim Dickinson
Isaac Hayes
Maurice Gibb
Kirsty MacColl
Lux Interior, Bryan Gregory (Cramps)
Stuart Adamson (Big Country)
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Nicolette Larson
Rick James
Waylon Jennings
Johnny Guitar Watson
Rob Buck (10,000Maniacs)
Townes Van Zandt
Warren Zevon
Jeff Porcaro (Toto)
Michael Jackson
Paul Hester (Crowded House)
Jerry Garcia, Brent Mydland
Willie Mitchell
Michael Hutchence
Doug Sahm
Freddy Fender
John Stewart
Pops Staples
George Harrison
Johnny Cash
Tommy Makem
Jimmy Smith
Lester Butler (The Red Devils)
James Brown
Nina Simone

0
Bo Doogley | 31 January 2010 - 10:41pm

Rory

is on my list.
I didn't know any of the names of The Outlaws so I can add those to my list.
I didn't know Rebop had died, or if I did I'd forgotten about him.
I'd forgotten about both Warren Zevon and Phil Lynott.

0
Carl Parker | 1 February 2010 - 1:50pm

Rick Laird.....?!?

Have I missed something? Surely Rick Laird is still with us...

0
Colin H | 1 February 2010 - 11:00am

Oops...apologies to Mr. Laird and his family

....where'd I get that from? Not one I'd invent so must be thinking of some other obscure Celtic bass player in the lofty arena of jazz-fusion.

0
Bo Doogley | 1 February 2010 - 9:25pm

Oh, and....

...Bill Hicks. Three times.

0
pocket.calculator | 1 February 2010 - 11:03am

Elvis has left the building

I saw The Elvis 2000 tour, at Docklands some years back with a festival size video screen, and Elvis's full Vegas-era band (James Burton etc..) playing to Elvis concert footage and vocal tracks. Although he wasn't actually there in person - it almost like the real thing
*rethinks and then disqualifies self*

0
Mondo | 1 February 2010 - 3:09pm

In that case...

Can I have Richard Burton? As seen on Jeff Wayne's War Of The Worlds tour.

0
Beany | 1 February 2010 - 5:16pm

Ruby Murray

The UK singles chart's most successful solo female act until Madonna, or something like that ... 7 top ten singles in 1955. Couldn't hold a note by the time I saw her on a Belfast variety show in 1984.

She was immediately followed by Van Morrison doing the full 15 minute - "Mr Lawrence I read your book!" - verion of 'Summertime In England' with Pee Wee Ellis on sax. Surreal doesn't even come close.

0
Steven C | 1 February 2010 - 6:40pm

I can't be the only one...

...who saw Sean Purcell in action (y'know, Raped, Cuddly Toys...)

0
leicester_bangs | 2 February 2010 - 5:04pm

Les Paul, Jerry Garcia,

Les Paul, Jerry Garcia, Federici.

0
JERICO74 | 7 February 2010 - 7:09pm

Dead bass players and all round greats

Ronnie Lane while he was still with The Faces twice (BBC & Empire Pool, Wembley). Can still see him doing his best Macca tribute, singing the verses on Maybe I'm Amazed. At Wembley I think The New York Dolls were the support and for some reason I recall Julie Ege came on to the stage and took off her T. Shirt. On the other hand it might have been wishful thinking on the part of a randy 16 year old.

Rick Danko at The Forum with The Band in the 1990s. He was an absolute mess ( mixture of jet lag and whatever). He walked on stage at the start with his flies undone ; but still sang like an angel. Big disappointment was when he left the stage during encores not able to sing Stage Fright.

Warren Zevon didn't play bass but...

0
Al Wallis | 10 February 2010 - 10:05pm

Some more...

Carl Wilson
Dennis Wilson
Ian Dury,
Jimmy McCullogh
Linda McCartney
Jim Capaldi
Keith Moon & John Entwistle
Mick Ronson
Paul Hester

0
Al Wallis | 11 February 2010 - 10:20pm

hmmm...

Michael Hutchence
Michael Jackson
Roy Kinnear
Jack Douglas
Max Jaffa

Not on the same bill.

0
Austin | 10 February 2010 - 10:33pm

The list is long

But I think the "dead people I've seen" who I miss the most are:

Sandy Denny
Keith Moon
Ronnie Lane
Rory Gallagher
Alex Harvey

0
Silas Lang | 22 February 2010 - 10:33am

Nina Simone - saw her at

Nina Simone - saw her at Ronnie's in 84/85, front of house seats. A wonderful night.

Rory Gallagher - me and a few mates met him before a show at Cardiff's Top Rank (do they still have Top Ranks?). Still got the jacket (denim, natch) that he signed. He clocked us at the front of the stage during the show, gave us a wink and a nod and lent down so we could take turns to strum his guitar during Messin' With The Kid.

John Martyn - sob, weep, sob.

Jerry Garcia - Madison Square Gardens - strange and surreal.

Ian Dury - one of the best live acts ever.

George Harrison - some charity bash at the Albert Hall. Ringo played with him.

Michael Jackson - Wembley - lost my glasses so could see bugger all.

There are definitely more but I've got something in my eye. Must be dust.

0
McLongWhiteCloud | 4 March 2010 - 9:57am
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