February 2009 Archives

When I am not drumming I also do the odd CD review in my spare time...

ANN PEEBLES Original Soul Funk Sister (Demon)

UNFORTUNATELY, Ann Peebles falls into that "one hit wonder" category - but what a one hit wonder it was!

I Can't Stand The Rain was named the greatest single ever made by John Lennon. This was the man responsible for writing Strawberry Fields Forever, Nowhere Man, In My Life and Imagine. Enough said!

Ann Peebles was born in 1947 in St Louis, one of 11 children. She began singing with her father's gospel choir and eventually landed a recording deal with Memphis label Hi whose major artist was soul legend Al Green.

Miss Peebles went on to marry fellow label recording artist Don Bryant, and they began writing songs together, culminating in that big 1974 hit 45.

As well as that classic, you'll also find the evocative I Feel Like Breaking Up Somebody's Home and the stunning I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down, two fine tracks that should also have been big hit singles.

Still, better to be a one hit wonder than a none hit wonder.

CHER The Imperial Recordings : 1965-1968 (EMI Gold)

BORN Cherilyn LaPierre in El Centro, California in 1946, Cher first came to our attention in 1965 as half of husband and wife team Sonny & Cher with worldwide smash hit I Got You Babe. Didn't last - they divorced in 1974!

This collection trawls her best solo recordings from 1965 to 1968, including powerful renditions of It's Not Unusual, Needles And Pins, Alfie, Sunny and You Don't Have To Say You Love Me.

Kelly Groucutt was a bundle of energy.

I couldn't believe it when I heard that he had died. It was such a shock.

He was such a bundle of energy, totally irrepressible.

Kelly was the life and soul of the party, the type of character who was always joking around and could light up a room whenever he arrived.

I hadn't seen him for a couple of years, but I will really miss him. He was a little guy with a huge personality.

He was still touring, still doing what he loved. He was an original member of ELO and was passionate about the band.

I've known him for more than 30 years. He was a good singer and a fine musician.

Kelly was great company on tour. It's a real blow for The Orchestra, and those who are still playing with him, because he was the mainman.

I remember being on the road with Kelly back in the 70s, it was a great time to be out there and he kept us entertained.

He used to have an endless supply of bad jokes.

He was always on the go, couldn't sit still, and even when he did he would be playing with a Rubik's cube or something like that.

Kelly was a real gentle soul as well - he wouldn't harm a fly.

He had been doing some solo work over the past few years, getting back to his roots and really enjoying music.

It's just so sad for him to die at that age and so suddenly. I will miss him, and my heart goes out to his wife and family.

Hello again. I was going to relate to you all of the incredibly interesting things I've done during this past month, January 2009.

On checking my daily diary, however, I find that there is little of interest to tell you about.

So instead , let's go back to the end of January 1984, when I was playing drums for Black Sabbath on a tour of the USA, and take a peek at my diary entries.

The "cast and crew" includes Tony Iommi (Guitar), Geezer Butler (Bass), Ian Gillan (Vocals), Geoff Nicholls (Keyboards), Harry Mohan (Tour manager), Mickey (Assistant tour manager), Don and David Arden (Management).