Sunday, October 15, 2006

Two Legends one small room

I went to Covent Garden in central London to the Covent Garden Arts Centre. Legend number one was playing a very rare gig. He now lives a quiet life in the South of France. Anyway, he was doing a small accoustic show. Along I went with Lyn, the trouble and strife and met up with my mate John Altman.
John Altman
Copyright 2006 Danny Clifford













I have know John since he was my teacher at school way back in the middle ages. He then left school and joined a band called Hot Chocolate. He then went on to write so much music for so many films and artists that I couldnt mention them all. But, one thing lately is in the UK a TV commercial for an Auto insurance company 'Shelia's Wheels', It is a brilliantly catchy tune..
John Altman
Copyright 2006 Danny Clifford













Now a very interesting thing that John told me last night was, that Hot Chocolate did a reggae version of one of the Beatles songs, I cant remember which song. Anyway, they sent it to John Lennon for his approval. He flipped and asked them if they were a band, which at that time they wernt. He asked them if they would support him at a gig at the Lyceum in London a few days later. He then said you are now called Hot Chocolate. So, there you have it, John Lennon named the band. So, they swiftly formed the band and played as support to John Lennon. So, anyway back at Covent Garden and then after our chat with John we headed off into the theatre to watch Kevin Ayers. He performed a great acoustic show with one other guitarist Max. There was just one solitary light on the stage. It was a dark blue.. Kind of a nightmare to photograph. So, as it was life and death, I had to use flash. I hate that, but I did have to.
Kevin Ayres
Copyright 2006 Danny Clifford













After the gig Lyn, John and I headed off to the dressing room.
Kevin Ayers
Copyright 2006 Danny Clifford













John Altman & Kevin Ayers
Copyright 2006 Danny Clifford













We took a few photos of the two legends in this small dressing room and then made our way out and off home.

Friday, October 13, 2006

LL Cool J

Its Friday 13th, so, what could possibly go wrong eh!! Well its down to Brixton Academy in London to photograph LL Cool J. I cant wait.. I havent been to the Brixton Academy for ages. It seems that each winter I am there almost every night. But, during the rest of the year its not a very busy venue.. Or maybe I am just imaging it. I arrived at the backstage door at about 9pm. I was searched and had a metal detecting device waved all around my body.. The girl in front of me obviously had lots of metal piercings and the metal detector kept going off all over her. The security chap wanted to investigate, but thought better of it.. In I went and got into the photo pit. LL Cool J was delayed by about half an hour. So, the susspense was killing me. I kept looking at my watch and I was aware that people in the front row were looking at me and sympethising with me as LL was not on stage yet. What the front row didnt know, was, that I wanted to get out of there as quickly as possible and get home, put my feet up and watch the one and only Jonathan Ross on TV. I am not a big fan of LL. Anyway, on he came and moved around very very fast. I was kind of happy with my shots. But, I was much happier with my earplugs.. I escaped and got home just in time to see the TV Jonathan Ross TV show.. Then relaxed...ahhh So, even though its Friday 13th, today, it all went swimingly...