steantval

I played in a Free tribute band for a few years. Do you have to be a fan of the original artist, or maybe you become one? All the guys in the band were big fans of Free, we had all played some Free numbers in the Classic Rock bands we had been in previously. How important is it to be visually/musically identical? How much latitude are you allowed? We made an effort to wear clothing of that era, but no long haired wigs. Musically we were definitely right up there, at least 80% of the Free recorded numbers actually have keyboards (piano, Hammond), we went out as a five piece which included a keyboard player so we could replicate the songs as close as possible. I played an Epiphone EB3 through a MarkBass rig, the EB3 was horrid to play compared to my usual MM Stingray, but it looked the part and sounded like Andy Fraser. Our guitarist did not use a Les Paul, he really disliked them, he used PRS, always had two on stage, his amplifier was a boutique U.K. made all valve Cornell head through a Marshall 4x12 cabinet and reproduced a very authentic Kossoff sound and tone. Our drummer was Jeff Rich who played with Status Quo for many years, Free were one of his all time favourite bands, he played a DW kit as he was still endorsed by them. Do you ‘get into character’ or is it just a gig? I did not get into character, it was a gig, albeit a very fulfilling one, absolutely loved playing all those fabulous Andy Fraser bass lines and people paid to come and see us perform and a captive audience of people who are really into the band. Does it feel musically limiting, or is it fulfilling your needs? (Maybe you have a side band?) Not musically limiting at all, took a lot of time and effort learning and playing the bass lines correctly, I was also playing in another band at that time, first and last time I have ever been in two bands at the same time. Do you have any qualms about tributes ‘stifling original music’? No qualms at all, Free have been long gone, Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke are still about doing a few tours of either Free or Bad Company material. Have you ever met or been seen by a member of the ‘originals’? What did they say? Never met either of the two surviving members, although we did get to support Wishbone Ash and I had a good chat with one of my guitar heroes from my teenage years, Andy Powell. What is the overriding thing being in a tribute act has taught you? Being able to replicate the material from one of your favourite bands with real accuracy involves serious discipline and all the other band members have that same ethic. Having done it once, would you do it again? If so, would the musical angle be very different? I would love to do the Free stuff again, but finding a vocalist that can pass as Paul Rodgers is very difficult, unfortunately our original vocalist Richard has moved on to other projects, mainly his own material as he was also a very good songwriter. If was to do it again, I would really enjoy playing in a tribute to The Cult, one of my all time favourite bands, bass lines are fairly easy, but boy do they rock. Pictures below are from 2010.

That rules our drummer out then. Martin actually uses one of his smaller kits with our band.

Listening to Planet Rock playing Rockin All Over The World by Status Quo, didn’t realise it was a cover, it even surprised the DJ. Here is the original, they say you learn something new every day.

Latest member of Whitesnake and currently touring with them

Sounds like a great start, I presume the combo in the picture is your own and not the house supplied combo. This is a CMB102P

They were formed in 1969 and were definitely touring in late 1970, as you say, it’s probably due to delays through Covid.

Uriah Heep was the first ever proper live gig I went to. The Leys Club, Letchworth on October 16th 1971.

From what I have heard, no.

He sounds like a prime candidate for the thread on when musicians/vocalists should retire.

Currently on Sky Arts, 7pm to 9pm, Genesis: When In Rome (2007) Turn It On Again Tour. Massive crowd, 500,000 apparently. Really enjoying it, lots of nice tricky prog time signatures.

Have you listened to recent live performances by David Coverdale or Jon Bon Jovi, that should answer the thread title.

I was a bit concerned our gig last night might have been cancelled due to the Royal stuff going on at the moment. Singer emailed yesterday morning to say his voice is playing up and he won’t be doing the gig. The venue was not best pleased when I telephoned to cancel at short notice and the rest of the band were pretty brassed off about it.

Bass masterclass over 👍👍👍👍👍👍 Dave stepped down from the drumming duties on YYZ.

The great Joe Walsh, superb guitarist, been a member of the Eagles since 1975.

He absolutely murdered Hysteria. 😳 Definitely find another frontman and the band will move on leaps and bounds. 👍

They did happen and hopefully won’t be erased from history.

1975 was also a great line up, all for the sum of £5.95p.

Hopefully his bass playing is as good as his tricks.

This Bank Holiday Monday PR is playing throughout the day the top 75 guitar solo songs as voted by the listeners, looking forward to hearing them. My guess for number one would probably be Comfortably Numb.

How the hell is this Mason guy still getting away with all these crimes.

I agree that Debbie and Steve were being very reasonable with their request regarding your noise pollution. These folks were obviously enjoying the previous Summer months in a nice quiet environment prior to you guys practicing. I would personally be dipping into my pocket and hiring a proper rehearsal studio where you can avoid these noise issues.

I don’t really see anything unusual about that. I have invested serious money into my bass rig and bass guitar, the guitarist similar, one of his guitars was over 4k and the drummer has a top end kit. Why should a vocalist just be expected to only invest a few hundred quid in a decent mike and a stand. In our current band the vocalist owns his own P.A.

When I first read it, I thought it said you and the drummer were moving in together 😜😜😜😜😜

What a joy to hear some excellent female vocalists, superb performance from all of them. 👍👍👍👍👍👍