I was the ripe old age of 18 and U2 played a rather poor set. I thought little of this up and coming band from the country of my dad and his ancestors. Two years later they released 'New Years Day' and the rest like they say is history. Shows how much a lad from south east Lancashire knew about future rock stars.
Fast forward a few years and a Prog band from Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire came on to the scene. They named themselves after a JRR Tolkien book: The Silmarillion and abridged their name to Marillion. I was a big fan and their lead singer: 'Fish'was my hero.
A lot of rock journalists in NME and Sounds compared them to early Genesis. I think The Amazing Alex Harvey Band myself. Especially with " Fish" being Scottish. I saw The Zal Cleminson Band in 2019 at a music festival and this confirmed my thoughts.
Remember when we went to the fringe festival at the Brasenose Arms in Cropredy village to see that Norwegian cover band: ' Misplaced Neighbourhood' last August and the power went out and a few lads got on the stage and gesticulated and led us into a microphone less performance of " Script?" It was very funny and very memorable.
Yes I was a devotee to the great Marillion. They made four albums with 'Fish'. Then he left in 1988 and Steve Hogarth joined in 1989.
I didn't listen to the 'new' Marillion much until my childhood friend and me went to ' The Night Of The Prog' festival in Loreley in 2017. We had been hoping to see 'Kansas' again but they pulled out on terrorist security advice. So Marillion replaced them. It was a good performance in fairness.
In the last eight years I have began to rediscover ' Marillion'. I am planning on seeing them again at a new music festival in Cornwall in September.
I saw 'Fish' again in 2019 at A New Day Festival near Faversham in Kent and we saw Steve Hogarth play a set with The Trevor Horn Band at Cropredy in 2022. He played the keyboard and sang a remarkable version of: ' Life On Mars' by Ziggy Stardust aka David Bowie.
I have gone "all around the houses" writing this post. That's another north country saying for your post today: Jabblog.
When Steve Hogarth joined Marillion in 1989. He brought the following song with him. It's a little out of the religious season but it's a peace song. Steve had lodged with a student from the ' Falls' Road in Belfast. His friend told him that his neighbours were just ordinary people who wanted no troubles and just peace.
I wish you all peace and a great 2025.
Enjoy the video:
Good to see you enjoying your music in this bright and shiny New Year, Dave.
ReplyDeleteYes I live for my Prog Rock JayCee. Not a lot happens during hibernation season in West Cork. Thanks yet again for your constant comments.👍
ReplyDeleteI'm watching Keith Richards documentary with a lot of old film of Muddy Waters. Earlier I watched Robert Johnson, Mississippi blues guitarist. Both on Netflix. The new Cornwall music festival sounds good. I hope you get to go. Happy New Year Dave.
ReplyDeleteThe Netflix films sound great Rachel. I visited West Wittering where Keith Richards owns a house last August. Music festivals are really struggling financially. Cropredy reduced its capacity to 6500 from 20000 for 2025. That's one I be going anymore sadly. Thanks Rachel.
DeletePeace sounds great. Right back at ya.
ReplyDeleteThanks DB Stewart.
DeleteThank you for that video, Dave. It really was lovely. Yes. May 2025 bring peace to this weary world.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it Debby. Ireland is such a beautiful country to visit.
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ReplyDeleteIt's good to listen to the music you love when you take time to relax.
I hope the piglets are thriving.
Yes, I know 'all round the houses'- how about, 'Fred Karno's circus' and 'I''ll go to the foot of our stairs?'
I always have music playing in my head Jabblog. I have seen Marillion twice over the years. The first time was 1986 with Fish singing. What about: "I'm spitting feathers for a brew?" The piglets are thriving thanks.
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