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The Glitter Band appearing with Angie Bowie at The Scala, King's Cross, Friday 9th April. Ticket Price £11.50 Adv. Good support bands. Doors 7pm. 18+ Venue| | | ||||
If you attend any of Pete's gigs, please write a review and send it to us at drum_machine01@hotmail.com
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The Glitter Band – The Diamond Club, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts. ….And there was me thinking that Nottinghamshire was famous for coal not diamonds! Well clearly I was wrong, as a sparkling gem of a performance proved!! We trawled our way up a surprisingly quiet M1 – albeit quite slowly through the maze of traffic cones, to arrive in good time at not the prettiest building I’ve seen! However this belies what was hidden inside, a very warm, friendly, vibrant club - that also has the good sense to provide decent tasting alcohol free beer, for those of us that drive. The Glitter Band took the stage at 10pm and right from the start – on their UK debut, with this line up – the sound was excellent; full, melodic and of course as we would expect significantly rhythmic. A fat bass sound from “young Lenny”, underpinning Pete’s classically consistent glitter-beat. As the set moved one after another into the Glitter Band hits, Marc’s melodious vocals – backed harmoniously by Pete – filled the club, doing total justice to the original sound. The recent re-addition to the band, the return of Eddie Spence on keyboards, meant that the combination of guitars and keys provided the fluidity and richness that was ever present in those far off days of the 70’s when the band toured regularly. Dominic has without a doubt nailed that authentic star guitar sound looking in a world of his own as he lays down those melodies. The band played for over an hour and a half, all the Glitter Band’s own hits and a good portion of “Glitter” hits too – which were popular with the crowd and seem to be accepted for what they were – Good songs, that were fun, frivolous and frantic – just right for the party atmosphere the band had created. After encores and much pleading by the audience for more, all too soon it was over… But a superb night out!! Well worth the travelling, More Please!! |
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Saturday 21st September 2002 - The Elbaeunpark Magdeberg.
Bratwurst in Hand, we watched the Band,
The Band did us proud, this 4,000 strong crowd,
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With wetsuits, wellies and willing canoeist we braved our way through the Southern German flood zone and on to Premnitz. (Actually it was all fine everything is so organised in Germany, though we did get to see some rather attractive fire-fighters filling sandbags!)
The Dachesburgfest is a biennial event which brings in huge crowds from the surrounding countryside for a weekend festival of funfair rides, a market, family activities and music, discos and local bands on the Saturday leading to the Grande Finale on Sunday, a headline show by THE GLITTER BAND. 
Supported by a German Rock band, that were very well received by the crowd, The Glitter Band hit the stage a little after 9pm. Wow, what a show, from the first few notes the crowd, probably some 5,000 strong just went crazy. English may not be the first language here and some times conversations a little difficult, but there were so many here who clearly knew all the words and had travelled far and wide for the gig.
The stage rig did the band proud, good lighting and sound enhancing the excitement generated by the band as they positively tore into the set and lit up the park with a mixture, as always, of Glitter Band and Glitter/Leander songs.
The Glitter Band produced a phenomenal show, changing tempo and mood keeping the crowd enthralled. Full of anticipation, never sure what was coming next the crowd clearly enjoyed the energy and fun radiating from the band.
A cracking drum solo from Pete in the 3rd number had the audience cheering fit to burst and the good humour between the band members, even if many of the crowd didn't understand the comments, certainly had everyone captivated. I wonder, did young Stevie on bass ever get to go on the roundabout he was hankering after?!
The crowd insisted on a lengthy encore really unwilling to let the band go after almost an hour and a half. Afterwards many people approached them to chat and for autographs before they could even reach their dressing rooms. However this wasn't to be the end of it.
The promoter had arranged a "meet and greet" session for the band in a nearby building, a huge queue of people (fairly orderly - but then this was Germany) waited in line to met the band get autographs, take photos and chat as much as linguistic differences would allow. Two burly security men on hand to ensure the bands safety! So for at least another hour as exhausted as they were, the band were thanked and gave their thanks to their fans.
A FABULOUS night and once again all credit to the German promoters, crew, fans and of course to The Glitter Band - Thanks Guys.
Sally McBeal
Another German triumph for the Glitter Band and a sensational debut for the new line up!
The Band were appearing with a number of other well known Seventies artists, such as Hello, Boney M and Hermans Hermits (OK, Sixties artists too), in Rostock in the very north of Germany - but however cold it was outside, the atmosphere inside the venue from the moment the Band stepped on stage was hot, hot, HOT!
From the first notes of Rock'n'Roll Part 2, it was obvious that this was going to be a show worthy of its stadium setting. The Band were absolutely electric, and every song seemed to make the audience even more ecstatic. All the big hits were there: The Tears I Cried, Goodbye My Love, Angel Face and a great combination of other Glitter numbers too.
The 2 new guys seem to have bonded with the existing Band members straight off, and there was an obvious chemistry between the 5 that was great to see. Cute Steve Stokes obviously HASN'T just been chosen for his adorable smile but also for his blindingly superb bass playing. Mark Simkins, on lead guitar, is cast in the charismatic rock god mould with his breathtaking ability on guitar and rock vocals.
Merrilyn yet again demonstrated her musical versatility, switching back and forth between drums and keyboards. Dominic smiled happily whilst he showed off that slide guitar capturing the original sound to a T!
During a break in Touch Me, Pete was encouraged to venture out from his sanctuary behind his drum kit to the bright lights at the front of the stage - and the crowd went WILD, much to the amusement (and evident satisfaction - does he not know how much respect he has?) of the rest of the Band.
It was obvious that all the Band were having a fantastic time and when the Band are enjoying themselves that much, the audience can't fail to do the same! After an hour that went far too quickly, when Let's Get Together Again finished and the band left the stage, the crowd went crazy for more. The encore of The Leader of the Gang thrilled them, but without doubt left them wanting even more - always a good way to finish!.
The Band looked stunning, sounded VERY hot and drove the crowd wild! So let's hope for a LOT more gigs both in the UK and in Germany.
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GLITTER BAND Saturday 16th March 2002 - Cresswell Holiday Park, Northumberland.
Just wanted to write you a short note to say, thanks for the best evening ever!
When the holiday centre sent us the details for this weekend we were delighted. I hadn't seen The Glitter Band since the 1970's and Dave hadn't seen you before at all, so we were hoping for a real treat and we GOT ONE.
The Band is very different now to the one I remember from then, but still fantastic. We had a really great time, hearing all those songs again. It was Grand! My kids loved it too and want to know when you're coming back.
It was nice to meet you all afterwards, thanks for taking the time and trouble to talk to us. I'm sure you must all have been very tired, but it was lovely to meet the people behind such a great show.
Thanks for still producing the music we both love and now Dave can say he's seen The Glitter Band too. Thanks also for the links to your webpages, I've really no idea how to write a review, but when I saw this page I just wanted to join in and let you know what a great night we had.
Gill and Dave McMullen
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What a great night for the English in Germany! - and No I don't mean the football,
although the 5-1 result was great too!!
However where we were in Walldorf over 500 Germans didn't care about
the football either, as they were having too much fun partying down to
THE GLITTER BAND.
Merrilyn, on Drums and Keyboards, resplendent in green spiky wig and a stunning
silver outfit, Roger in Gold and black looking every inch a Rock and Roll bassist,
Dominic on Lead guitar with those gorgeous curls and a splendid sequin jacket.
At the back Pete looking tanned and fit and nowhere near 50! (how does he do
that!?) in the perfect drummers T shirt bearing the appropriate legend
"Hammered"!!
From a smoke filled stage the intro track built the anticipation -
into the opening bars of the German national anthem ( a nice touch I thought!)
Hit after hit followed, a powerful mix of both Glitter Band and GG numbers,
with "I love Rock and Roll" (The Arrows) also bringing a huge cheer.
New arrangements of "Rock On", "The Tears I Cried" and
"New York Groove" showed these guys aren't there just to churn out the old hits,
but have musically and creatively stamped their mark on these songs and the
crowd loved it!
The Tears I Cried, with it's ingenious new harmony arrangement and
Goodbye My Love, both brought, much applause and clear admiration,
Roger, Dominic and Pete all sharing the vocals, showing the more gentle,
melodic and mature side of the band.
A Drum Solo from Pete in Rock On had the crowd whooping and calling for more.
The Band took break from all the hard work demanding the audience take up the
vocals in, "I Didn't Know I Loved You 'Til I Saw You Rock and Roll", No Problem!
This crowd was full of enthusiasm and passion and no matter how complex those
"Hey's" got, we followed!!
The pounding intro to "Do You Wanna Touch?" had the crowd bopping hard again,
- not that they'd ever stopped! But by now the whole dance floor was bouncing
under our feet! - Yells, applause and whistles accompanied the break in the song
encouraging the band to swing into the final reprise. The atmosphere was electric
and interaction between audience and band, full on!
"Angel Face" of course, was loved by all, let's face it this is where it all started,
I don't think there was anyone there who wasn't singing along. Likewise
"Let's Get Together Again" and "People Like You" were like anthems to this crowd,
who really know how to enjoy live music!
Sadly all too soon the finale and encores arrived, "I love you Love" and
"Leader" to wind up the evening and the crowd to a crescendo! The applause
to the final bow was long and loud, both band and audience looking exhilarated
if somewhat exhausted!!! - Oh What A Night!
Chris Wilson
and immediately the band launched into "Hello, Hello I'm Back Again",
and they were off, the crowd went wild, clapping and singing along,
squashed in elbow to elbow. Next up was "Rock and Roll part 2" and then
"Tell Him", which had everyone rocking, often dancing on the toes of the person
next to you but no-one seemed to mind!
As did the mega instrumental mid section of New York Groove, with each band
member taking a turn to show their craft. Whew, what a bassline, Roger's Jazz
pedigree clearly showing through!
