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Toni Marriott, Chris France
and myself first met in September 2000 to discuss the possibilities of
the gig and when the Astoria was booked there was still a question mark
as to whether we could fill it. On to the concert itself. It was intended to be a tribute to Steve’s whole
works from the heady days of the 60’s pop star to the pub rock hero of
his later days and this is what was achieved admirably with stars such
as Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher paying tribute to their hero.
The evening got off to a great start with Small Faces Convention
favourites 17 Black. They
performed four Small Faces numbers including the blinding “Don’t
Burst My Bubble”, they were followed by 60’s mod legends John’s
Children with lead singer Andy Ellison climbing onto amplifiers and
spraying the front row with water.
High jinks indeed but just the sort of thing Steve would have
loved. Next up
The Mods a London band with excellent credentials, as well as a few
numbers themselves they provided excellent backing for ex Love Affair
man Steve Ellis. Steve
reappeared several times during the evening and proved to be a class
act. After a short break the house
band took to the stage and what a line-up they presented.
On drums Who star and Ringo’s son, Zak Starkey, guitarists
Bobby Tench and Dave ‘Bucket’ Colwell both members of Humble Pie
2000, keyboards were supplied by Who man John ‘Rabbit’ Bundrick and
last, but certainly not least, Rick Wills on bass , the tallest Small
Face ever! This
excellent band provided backing for such acts as the soulful Debbie
Bonhan, Steve Ellis (again), Simon Hickling, Dennis Greaves and an
appearance from Steve’s son Toby (playing Steve’s very own Gibson)
with vocalist Max Ireland. As
if this wasn’t enough backing vocals were provided by none other than
Immediate stars Tony Rivers, Billy Nicholls and Ant Thompson who were
joined on stage by Steve Marriotts daughter Mollie and her band D 2 M. Could things possibly get any
better! Well
after another short break it was the turn of Steve’s legendary 70’s
band Humble Pie, but with a difference.
For the first time ever on stage together the line-up included
both Peter Frampton and his predecessor Dave ‘Clem’ Clempson along
with original bass player and drummer Greg Ridley and Jerry Shirley.
This was history in the making and the set was very well received
by the ‘elder’ statesmen in the audience. Next up a complete contrast,
Band Aid star Midge Ure entertained the audience with an acoustic
version of “My Minds Eye”.
A brave step by Midge but a successful one.
Half way though the song he had the whole audience singing along
with him. The atmosphere was near
electric at this stage and when our all-star band appeared the whole
place erupted and what a line-up it was with original Small Faces Ian
McLagan and Kenney Jones, Oasis stars Noel Gallagher and Gem and the mod
father himself Paul Weller.
These were joined on stage for the encore of “Tin Soldier”
and “All Or Nothing” by Steve Ellis, Jerry Shirley and various
members of the cast on backing vocals. John
Hellier
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