blue

[quote name='mentalextra' timestamp='1510159059' post='3404375'] You'll have to get a 'proper' job Blue [/quote] After being out of the "proper" or what I call traditional work force for 2 years I doubt that will happen. I worked for 35 years, never really cared for it. Blue

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1510194009' post='3404601'] Why so..? Whilst agreeing that those talent and skills are, indeed, of a high standard, that's not always what is wanted in an evening's entertainment. For a concert, maybe (and even then...), but for enjoying a wedding 'do', either on the dance floor or as a spectator, it's not systematically the 'note perfect' rendition that fits the bill, at least not for many; maybe even more so for the non-musicians having a great time. Jealous..? Of what..? [/quote] Maybe your not jealous. I am. I'm jealous of Musicians that have this particular apptitude, ability and skill I don't have. Blue

I've scaled back quite on how much gear I bring to a gig. Small but heavy GK RBX 2x10 cab, 750 watt GK head, pedal board, and 1 bass (actually 2, but one stays in my car, strickly a back up). Initial set up takes 10-15 minutes. Now, tweaking my problematic pedal board is what takes up time for me. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1510164942' post='3404431'] Usually made up of professional musicians on rotation, playing note perfect renditions.[/quote] Jealousy? The ability to hear parts and notes and play them live note perfect as recorded by the original artists requires a high level of skill and ability. I don't have that ability and admittedly jealous of those that do. A good example of this type of high level skill and ability can be seen with the premier Beatles tribute act The Fab Four. Blue

For those with an interest and have an hour to burn. https://youtu.be/-_Ku1Q7pplg This is a multi billed show that took place somewhere in Germany in on June 24th 1966.Seems more like 65 to me. I find it fasinating for a host of reasons. If anyone has any tid bits on The Rattles or Cliff Bennett please share. Blue

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1510164942' post='3404431'] Quite. I just can’t stand that corporate stamped out function band. Usually made up of professional musicians on rotation, playing note perfect renditions and dressed in whatever uniform the band leader has chosen. Awful. Total cheese, regardless of the tunes chosen. Give me a band playing with passion, that have obviously been playing together for years, playing their own versions of a mix of tunes across the decades. Awesome. [/quote] There's value and hard work behind both types of bands. Respect to both. Blue

Don't get me wrong. There are a ton of reasons some guys don't gig, won't gig or can't gig. First and foremost, I'll say it again, at the bar/pub/ club level there are not as many places to gig as there use to be. Sorry if I sound like a broken record. If my band folds, I can kiss being in a band and gigging goodbye. There are very few established bands that focus on gigging and making money. Blue

[quote name='dmccombe7' timestamp='1510003588' post='3403243'] And there was virtually no interest at the beginning too [/quote] I know, I should take a look back to see who's post changed the tide. Blue

[quote name='Monkey Steve' timestamp='1509987129' post='3403061'] Lesson learned - pack away/switch off anything that can be packed away/switched off when you're not on stage. that way all they can muck about with are the drums, and that's not your problem[/quote] 2 points, We've played weddings, but I'd rather not. We're a blues/rock bar band. However, I'll take the money. I would think with a stage, pro lights & sound, pro looking band would mitigate any monkeying around of gear by unauthorized guests. At pubs and bars I guess anything can happen. I never gig my expensive basses at bars, Not that I have any inexpensive basses now that I think about it. Maybe I should think about one of those Harley Benton copies. Blue

[quote name='Monkey Steve' timestamp='1509986718' post='3403059'] yes, but I think we're talking about different things. I'm talking about finding people to play with for the fun of being in a band and you're talking about finding a band that pays you enough to earn your living. that's a completely separate topic[/quote] I use to think, "what can be hard about merely finding guys to play with just for fun". I've since learned the opposite. Whether your in it for fun or to gig and make money finding good dependable Musicians to play with is still a huge challenge. Blue

[quote name='DorsetBlue' timestamp='1509985485' post='3403038'] I don't think we will be touching Weddings with a barge pole! This was enough and it was relatively relaxed. [/quote] This is my take Weddings are fine if your an experienced dedicated professional wedding band. If your not a wedding band your wedding gig experience might be less than stellar. Blue

Lots of great insights and knowledge shared in this thread. Especially since my main reason for posting it was to share the YouTube clip showing John's clear cut blatant response regarding the disk jockey that had stopped playing The Beatles records. Thanks Blue

[quote name='Monkey Steve' timestamp='1509980224' post='3402990'] I do appreciate that not everybody will have been in bands for years and if not then you won't have a load of former band mates who know to ask you, so probably you do need to start making contacts. The suggestion to go to a jam night is a very good one, especially if you haven't got the confidence to answer ads. It's not for me personally, but I know a couple of bands that started that way, and people from those bands then went on to others with their new contacts. [/quote] My whole identify and self worth evolves around being in a reputable known gigging band. I have a hard time when we have a weekend off. Jam nights, the ones in my area are not for me. The Musicians that attend are the guys that are not in bands and certainly don't have gigs. It takes years in most cases to keep a band together to the point where people are calling you requesting your band. Marketing and getting gigs is not easy in any sense. Especially for those that want to gig 2-3 times a week. Blue

Here's a clip definitely worth watching that shows the up side of Chinese production. Excellent clip. https://youtu.be/X3S3nPS9Vzo Blue

[quote name='goblin' timestamp='1509576621' post='3400108'] I'm gunna say it and it'll probably make me unpopular... But be aware that this is just my opinion. I really can't see the hype about Sire. Yet to play one I like, they feel cheap, look cheap, and I don't particularly like the sound either[/quote] I saw Marcus demo one on a YouTube clip and that's exactly what I thought. It looked cheap. Blue

[quote name='bumnote' timestamp='1509832960' post='3402035'] Dont forget the acoustic 301/360 from the late 60s [/quote] Yes, very cool and cool looking amps. Blue

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1509915859' post='3402612'] you are still back 'there' [/quote] Proud, lucky and comfortable. Blue

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1509915859' post='3402612'] My point being that you are not 'here' , you are still back 'there' [/quote] Maybe I'm 64, and Ed's music, even though I haven't heard any of it, is not my music. His fans are young people it's their music. They're there, I'm not. I think we're on the same page. Blue

[quote name='taunton-hobbit' timestamp='1509911950' post='3402577'] I always thought that the Beatles were a pretty good business model........ [/quote] I know Brian negotiated 10k for 3 appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. More than most folks were making in a year at that time. Personally I think Brian could have gotten more. Blue

Do their guests want to hear a live band? We've played a few weddings because the couples were fans of the band. In all cases their guests were not thrilled and would have been perfect happy with a DJ only. Blue

[quote name='FinnDave' timestamp='1509911057' post='3402563'] I don't think it is realistic to deny the influence of the Beatles, even to the extent of acknowledging that they were certainly the most influential pop group of our times, but I didn't care for their music in the 60s and I still don't. [/quote] I would have to say I am more a huge fan of The Beatles but not necessarily their music. I can't think of four names that naturally roll off the tongue more than; John, Paul, George & Ringo. Blue

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1509910484' post='3402554'] The only thing that I find a little sad is the way people who weren't even alive when a particular style of music was really popular lay claim to knowing who influenced whom and what were the most influential STYLES (let alone acts) with regard to the development of modern music. [/quote] Me too. By the way, awesome commentary. Blue

[quote name='ivansc' timestamp='1509910484' post='3402554'] I was playing to audience in the mid fifties in the UK.[/quote] Kudos, I'm impressed. Blue

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1509904387' post='3402504'] It's the use of MOST influential that I object to. They were influenced by Dylan to write more interesting lyrics; Dylan was influenced by them (and many others!) to go electric. They would have been influenced by the psychedelia of the likes of the Electric Prunes to produce their later stuff (see the Nuggets and Pebbles albums series for examples). It's not like they invented rock'n'roll! Meanwhile you've got the whole of black music to ignore as the MOST influential on rock and pop; I spose Chuck Berry, Little Richard et al had no influence on anybody. Or for that matter, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, or Robert Johnson or a host of other blues men did nowt to change music. Or James Brown, Motown, Hendrix, George Clinton/Bootsy, Sly and the Family Stone, Africa Bambaata etc. It's ridiculous to say someone is the MOST influential; it's like saying Dali is the most influential artist, or Charles Dickens the most influential author; Everybody is influenced by all sorts of stuff, including the Beatles; nobody lives in a bubble, and most importantly, it's not a bleedin' competition! [/quote] You certainly make a good point. The Beatles certainly were influenced by many. However, you can name all the artists in the world.I still opinion they were the most influential for their time period. Blue

Eric tells Journalist that George is envious of him for certain things as he is of him. Journalist asks Eric, " What are you envious of George for?" Eric answers; "The Money" Blue