The Answer/Books.

I was suppost to be going to see The Answer (the self proclaimed best rock n’ roll band from Northern Ireland) on Saturday night but unfortunately, the band has had to reschedule the gig as the drummer has broken his hand. Shame really as I wanted to see them before I saw them supporting AC/DC (probably the best rock n’ roll band from Scotland) at Hampden Park in June. Never mind, at least I’ve got Saxon to look forward to next Tuesday.

On the subject Irish things, I was in Tesco’s at the weekend when I noticed that Eddie Jordan has a book out that I didn’t know about. Eddie was, if you didn’t know, the Team principal for the Jordan F1 Team for a number of years before selling the team (which currently races as the Force India Team). It’s his autobiography and was published last year so I thought I’d give it a go – looking forward to an interesting read. Of course, if I bought that, then I’d have to buy Jackie Stewart’s autobiography (he was plugging the paperback version on the BBC’s One Show) earlier in the week. Two more lovely books to add to my collection. By the way, I’m still reading Tony Hancock’s biography and am now up to 1967. It’s a good read - albeit a bit sad at times and not looking forward to reading about his final months as I think it’ll be quite harrowing.

Standby Flights.

So Mrs Karen was going back to Northern Ireland last night when the unexpected (for her anyway) did happen. Her brother Mr Rodney works for Flybe and so Mrs Karen gets a discount when she flies. She did offer it to me but I turned it down as you don’t have a booked seat – you’re on standby. So we’re waiting at Glasgow Airport for her to get booked in when she’s told that a cancellation at Edinburgh Airport means that a bus load of passengers due to fly to Belfast will be boarding the Glasgow flight. The flight is therefore fully booked and she is (technically) stranded in Glasgow. This why I prefer to book a seat – at least you’ll get one!

Anyway, we managed to get her booked onto the first flight this morning, which necessitated me driving her to the airport first thing in the morning, and she flew back home to some very unhappy children. Like I said to her last night – these things happen and there's no point getting stressed about it.

Also realised that it’s 17 years today since a group of us travelled all the way down to London’s Wembley Stadium for The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert featuring Metallica, Def Leppard, Robert Plant, Roger Daltrey – in fact, click on the link below for more details:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Freddie_Mercury_Tribute_Concert

The Blaze 500.

I am now officially one of the Blaze 500 – “what does this mean?” I hear you cry. Well, it’s all very simple. The Blaze Bayley Band released a new DVD recently ("The Night That Would Not Die") and there were 500 limited edition versions available where you got a special wristband and exclusive t-shirt along with a copy of the DVD fully signed by the band – all for just £20. Nice actually because the standard DVD will be costing £20 so to get the extras (unavailable anywhere else) is nice.

So everyone who got this limited edition version also got the magic number – the number being the bands’ mobile phone number! Quite amusing really but I don’t see the point of calling it as I’ve nothing to say to them – it’s just a very novel idea.

Anyway, the rear diffusers on the Brawn, Toyota and Williams’ F1 cars are legal then are they? Ferrari boss Luca di Montezemolo must be furious that this has been missed by their designers and they are now lagging behind as they have no points from two races, and will have to redesign their current diffuser in order to be competitive. Hopefully they’ll be more competitive for the European races starting in June.

AC/DC kicked off the first part of their UK Tour last night at the O2 Arena – judging by the set list, the Hampden Park gig on 30th June will be fantastic – even though this may be the bands' last tour.

Set List (O2 Arena):
Rock And Roll Train, Hell Ain’t A Bad Place To Be, Back In Black, Big Jack, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Shot Down In Flames, Thunderstruck, Black Ice, The Jack, Hell’s Bells, Shoot To Thrill, War Machine, Anything Goes, You Shook Me All Night Long, TNT, Whole Lotta Rosie, Let There Be Rock, Highway To Hell, For Those About To Rock (We Salute You).

Easter Special - "Planet of the Dead".

Back to work after my long weekend. Had a nice time, the wather and the company was good and I even managed to slip in a few quiet beers in Romas (http://www.romas.co.uk/) on Saturday night. Didn't have the chance to meet up with Mrs Lilly and Mr John as they were having the family round - but maybe next time we can meet up properly.

The Doctor Who Easter Special (the first of Tennant's final stories) was, if truth be told - a tad disappointing. Lee Evans was good (and funny) and Michelle Ryan did a good job too although the story itself was a bit flimsy. Also, I don't see the point of the crew travelling all the way over the Dubai so they could film in a desert - what's the matter with a good old Welsh quarry or somewhere in Wales with a lot of sand?

Currently reading "Black Knight" - the autobiography of Ritchie Blackmore (from Deep Purple and Rainbow). Very interesting read, this one. Didn't know, for example, that he auditioned for a group as did Jimmy Page - only for Blackmore to get the gig. Up to 1964 at the moment with tales of Lord Sutch, Gene Vincent, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny Kidd and the Pirates. :)

Montrose Music Festival?

When did this happen – and why didn’t it happen 20 years ago when we lived there:

http://www.montrosemusicfestival.co.uk/

Easter Holidays are approaching, so I’m away for the weekend to Northern Ireland. Nothing planned except for Saturday night when we’re having a “Doctor Who Night” after the broadcast of the first special – “Planet of the Dead”. Matthew asked me to bring a couple of DVDs across, so I asked him which ones he wanted – turns out that he wanted me to bring *all* my Doctor Who DVDs with me!

I’ll be back on Monday and all ready for work on Tuesday.

Spinal Tap World Tour.

So it’s been announced that Spinal Tap are starting a World Tour at Wembley Arena on 30th June. They are also finishing their World Tour at Wembley Arena on 30th June. I was actually thinking about going, but I’ll be at Hampden Park in Glasgow watching AC/DC on their "Black Ice" World Tour.

As funny as Spinal Tap are, doing a World Tour in one day doesn’t seem like that much of a silly idea.

Back in 1991, Status Quo did a whole UK Tour in a day (starting at BBC TV Centre in London before heading out to Sheffield, Glasgow, Birmingham and finishing up at back at Wembley Arena, a little over 11 hours later) – a feat which put them in the Guinness Book of Records.

Def Leppard performed three concerts in three continents in one day (Tangiers, London, and Vancouver) on 23rd October 1995 – which got them into the Guinness Book of Records too.

And, who can forget that on 24th September, Roger Taylor played a gig at his home (well, it was actually in the converted barn beside his house), to support the release of his “Electric Fire” album which was broadcast on the internet (and latterly released on a video that was available exclusively through Virgin Radio). This gig too got an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the biggest ever online concert.

Maybe The Tap’s idea isn’t actually a bad one!

Malaysian Grand Prix/Status Quo.

Yesterday was, of course, the Malaysian Grand Prix. I was planning to go on and on about how great Ferrari are doing this early in the season, but with two races gone and not a single point scored by the team – I don’t think I will say anymore about them. What I will say, though, is that it’s good to see Jenson Button and the Brawn GP Team doing so well. All those years at Ferrari have taught Ross Brawn to master the art of strategy within a Grand Prix, and this is paying dividends. The less said about Liar Hamilton – the better!

So, today is the 6th April, and I realised over the weekend that today ten years ago, I was all excited after meeting Status Quo (the whole band) for the first time and was waiting to see them play live in The Solid as part of their “Under The Influence” Pub Tour to promote the album “Under The Influence” (pub – “Under The Influence” – geddit?). I do remember the day very well. I became an honorary member of The Solid’s bar staff that day and was even allowed to stay in the pub after the band asked for it to be closed so they could eat their lunch and do a sound-check in privacy. To commemorate this occasion, I’m wearing the t-shirt I bought that day. Yes, I know its ten years old, but I’ve only worn it once and it looks brand new! Maybe I should go down to the pub after work for a beer?