Don's 2012 Diary
Friday 27th December 2012
I flew to Vilnius via Copenhagen and was met at the airport. Drove to the hotel about 30 mins away..... THE CROWN PLAZA - where they booked me into a suite.....
I relaxed at the, hotel all night and had a very nice dinner there...
Saturday 28th December 2012
Relaxed all morning and waited to be picked up to drive to a local radio station (M1+) where I met all the others and the guys from Sweet... They did their interview first before we did ours...
From there we drove to the, gig (a big ice-hockey stadium). We all did our sound checks, then just relaxed at the gig as they are are always early shows over there.
We all had a, great night playing to about, 7000 people..
After the, show, we all drove to, Kaunas (100 km) checked in to the hotel. I made tea in my room and was in bed by, 11:45.
Sunday 29th December 2012
Met Bruce Bisland (Sweet drummer) and Mal Mcnulty in the hotel restaurant and we all had tea together.
I drove with Sweet to the gig so I could sort my drums out.
Another great show. 6000 crowd (another Ice Hockey stadium). All bands came back to the,hotel at the same time and we all had dinner together.
Monday 30th December 2012
All the bands met in the hotel so we could have lunch together. We then had a 2 hour drive to KLAIPEDA (yet another Ice-Hockey stadium, 6000 people once more).
Drove back to, Kaunas ( were we were based).
Tuesday 31st December 2012
Went to get some tea (too late for breakfast).
Tony O’Hora (Sweet guitarist and keyboard player), Pete Lincoln ( Sweet singer and Bass-player) our very own Mal McNulty were also there.
We all drove to, SIAULIAI for the, last show. Another 2 hours drive... another ice-hockey stadium (8,000 people this time). We all had a great last and New-Years Eve show.....
All drove back to the hotel for a New-Years Eve dinner together and got to bed, 1:15....
A GREAT CONCERT TRIP TO LITHUANIA....
I flew to Vilnius via Copenhagen and was met at the airport. Drove to the hotel about 30 mins away..... THE CROWN PLAZA - where they booked me into a suite.....
I relaxed at the, hotel all night and had a very nice dinner there...
Saturday 28th December 2012
Relaxed all morning and waited to be picked up to drive to a local radio station (M1+) where I met all the others and the guys from Sweet... They did their interview first before we did ours...
From there we drove to the, gig (a big ice-hockey stadium). We all did our sound checks, then just relaxed at the gig as they are are always early shows over there.
We all had a, great night playing to about, 7000 people..
After the, show, we all drove to, Kaunas (100 km) checked in to the hotel. I made tea in my room and was in bed by, 11:45.
Sunday 29th December 2012
Met Bruce Bisland (Sweet drummer) and Mal Mcnulty in the hotel restaurant and we all had tea together.
I drove with Sweet to the gig so I could sort my drums out.
Another great show. 6000 crowd (another Ice Hockey stadium). All bands came back to the,hotel at the same time and we all had dinner together.
Monday 30th December 2012
All the bands met in the hotel so we could have lunch together. We then had a 2 hour drive to KLAIPEDA (yet another Ice-Hockey stadium, 6000 people once more).
Drove back to, Kaunas ( were we were based).
Tuesday 31st December 2012
Went to get some tea (too late for breakfast).
Tony O’Hora (Sweet guitarist and keyboard player), Pete Lincoln ( Sweet singer and Bass-player) our very own Mal McNulty were also there.
We all drove to, SIAULIAI for the, last show. Another 2 hours drive... another ice-hockey stadium (8,000 people this time). We all had a great last and New-Years Eve show.....
All drove back to the hotel for a New-Years Eve dinner together and got to bed, 1:15....
A GREAT CONCERT TRIP TO LITHUANIA....
Don's 2013 Diary
Friday 15th March 2013
Drove to Billund Airport in Denmark and checked in for my flight to Stansted. A full flight (good job I reserve my usual 1C seat). It was an un-eventful flight...... Caught the courtesy bus to my hotel and telephoned Robin (roadie / sound guy), I wanted to remind him not to forgot my, foot-pedal and sticks for the gigs - but no answer.
After checking in, I changed my room as nothing was working. No TV or heating or hot-water.....
Had an early night 10:00 pm.
Saturday 16th March 2013
Butlin's Minehead
I got up at 05:45 am, before my alarm went off.
Made tea and ‘woke-up’, before cleaning up. Packed and went for breakfast (which was very nice).
Checked out early and got the courtesy bus back to Stansted to catch my train to Minehead. Couldn’t get an early train from Paddington, so I sat in the Hilton Hotel drinking ‘copious’ amounts of tea, much to the surprise of other breakfast guests..
Abbie called to say that Robin (roadie / sound guy) wouldn’t be with us this weekend as he was really ill.
I got to Minehead and made my way to the hotel. I checked in un-packed..... MORE tea.
‘H’ arrived from Wolverhampton.... We had tea together before going to the gig for sound-check with the ‘house engineer’.
Had a great show.... sold out, 3000 people.
‘H’ and myself made our way back to the hotel... TEA would you believe bore bed at, 12:30 am.
Sunday 17th March 2013
Got up at 7:00 am, cleaned up and packed. Went for breakfast with ‘H’.
He left to drive back to Wolverhampton and I got an earlier train to Heathrow. Checked in at the Holiday Inn (used to stay there when we first went back on the ‘road’... it was called the ‘Crest’ then).
Caught a train to Hounslow to do some shopping, as I had a free day. Made my way back to the hotel and relaxed before an early night (20:30 pm).
Monday 18th March 2013
Flying to St Petersburg, Russia
Got up 4:00 am cleaned up and packed.
Met ‘H’ downstairs to go by cab to Terminal 1 to meet the others..... Checked in and flew to St Petersburg via Frankfurt. We were met by the promoter who drove us to the hotel (Taleon Imperial Hotel) where we all were checked in to suites.
We were all taken out for dinner. Came back to the, otel and I went to bed, 23:30 pm (20:30 pm in the UK) (Heavy metal).
Tuesday 19th March 2013
Concert in St Petersburg, Russia
I stayed in bed until, 11:00 am.... cleaned up..... and went for (wait for it) TEA.
Went to the gig (another luxurious hotel). We were to play in the hotel's Great Hall to 75 people for a birthday-party. Four bands were to play in all, would you believe. The drummer with one of the bands was the drummer from Quiet Riot - Bobby Rondinelli. He played with Quiet Riot between 1990 - 1993. (Quiet Riot took ‘C’mon Feel The Noize' to No1 in the American charts). When they did their sound-check, Bobby asked me to play his drums so he could go and listen out front..... I played Sabbath's, ‘ Paranoid’.
Anyway,,, we had a, great gig (only played 40 mins) and then we went out to another restaurant (in Russia they always feel they have to feed you).
I went to bed 23:30 pm (20:30 pm in the UK).
Wednesday 20th March 2013
Got up 8:00 am.
Cleaned up and packed..... met everyone for breakfast before they flew back to the UK - and I flew home to Denmark via Riga ( I had a 3 hour wait).
A VERY GOOD DIVERSE FEW DAYS.....
Friday 19th April 2013 - Flying to Førde, Norway
I was up at 7:00am, finished packing my case and got a lift into town. This was so I could get the bus to Billund Airport for my flight.
I checked myself in as far as Oslo (with no problems). I then relaxed in the lounge until my flight was ready (it was delayed 30 mins).
Landed in Oslo (an uneventful flight).
Spent some time in the lounge in Oslo Airport and spoke to my old mate, John Coghlan, Status Quo's original drummer, on the phone until my flight to Førde as ready... He told me the gigs with Quo’s original line-up were great and they might do it again next year....I spoke to Sam Hill. He and his dad ‘H’ were already checked in the hotel.
My flight was only on a tiny plane so I felt every bump there was! But, to make up for it, the scenery from the plane window was breathtaking ( the lakes, forest and mountains).
I was met at the airport in Førde by Remi Tystad, the promoter. We drove to the hotel and checked in. As I said before ‘H’ and his son Sam were there already. We all had dinner together before I went to my room and was in bed by 11:00pm
I heard Ozzy and Sharon had split up... DON’T KNOW WHY...
Saturday 20th April 2013 - Gig in Førde, Norway
Stayed in bed until 9:00am. Relaxed and cleaned up before going for breakfast. Everyone else was there they got in around 11:30 pm the previous night.
Had a stroll around Førde, it was beautiful place. I found out that Eric Clapton goes there a lot on fishing trips (but not this weekend) !
We went to the club we were playing to do a sound-check. Then went back to the hotel for lunch and to clean up for the gig...
It was a great club gig. It brought back so many memories.
I went back to the hotel and was in bed by 1:00 pm.
Sunday 21st April 2013 - Flight back to Denmark
I was up by 9:00 am. I cleaned up and packed. Went for tea... The others left for the airport for their flight....
I had lunch with Remi before he drove me to get my plane home.....
A GREAT WEEKEND IN NORWAY...
Friday 17th May 2013 - Seeing Smokie
My wife Hanne, Marianne (our good friend from Copenhagen) and me got ready to drive to Skive (here in Denmark) to see our good friends Smokie..... As always, we are always made to feel SO welcome. We eat with them at their hotel before the show. Also, after their show we had lots of drinks with them before wishing them goodbye (we drove home and they went to bed. An early start for them as they were travelling to Israel the next day for concerts).
Friday 24th May 2013 - Hamburg gig
Around lunchtime, we started to pack the car so Hanne, Marianne and myself could drive to Lubeck just over the German border near Hamburg. The drive would take us about 3 hours so there was no panic...
Of course, we stopped at the massive ‘border’ shopping warehouses between Denmark and Germany to stock up on chocolate, booze and other goodies.
We eventually got to the Holiday Inn in Lubeck, checked in, unpacked and relaxed.... We then found out that H had problems at Heathrow..... Everything was closed because of fires (somewhere) So, he was diverted to Manchester. He had to stay the night there and then fly out to Hamburg the following day, Saturday (the day of the gig).
Saturday 25th May 2013 - Gig with Suzi Quatro
Got up just in time for breakfast.. Relaxed before cleaning up. H eventually arrived from the UK as did the others. I went to the gig with Robin (sound guy) and Tim (backline roadie) to sort my drums out (no- sound check).
I bumped into Suzi Quatro and her husband Reiner Hass at the hotel and had a little chat with them both before we all went back to the gig. We had an early show, the 14,000 crowd were fantastic. I didn’t get to see Suzi’s show (however I heard It rained throughout her set). After her show, she and Reiner drove the short distance to Hamburg where Reiner has an apartment. Had drinks with everyone in the hotel before going to bed at 12:00.
Also on the show were The Troggs and also The Early Yardbirds - the band Eric Clapton started in. Slade used to play ‘I Wish You Would’ a track from their 1960’s EP called ‘Five Live Yardbirds’ recorded at The Marquee.
Monday 27th May 2013
Spent the day having a leisurely 3 hour drive home stopping for more chocolate at the border shops.
Tuesday 28th May 2013 - Paul Burgess
I got a call from good friend Paul Burgess. He is now full time drummer with 10CC. They were playing local (The Culture House in Struer). We toured the States with them in 1975 when ‘I’m Not In Love’ was No1 in America. On that tour were KISS... SLADE... & 10CC... Yes, they opened the show. Paul and myself met way back then. We have remained friends ever since.... Back in the ‘70’s Paul was 2nd drummer to Kevin Godley who left with the other original member, Lol Creme, to start making Pop videos.
Graham Gouldman who joined in 1975 to tour with them is a, very successful songwriter in his own right He wrote songs such as ‘For Your Love’ by the Yardbirds in the 1960’s, ‘Look Through Any Window’ for The Hollies in 1963 and among others ‘No Milk Today’ for Hermans Hermits.
I had a great time backstage with them before and after their show..... Eating their food and, drinking their booze. Ha.......!
10CC obviously played all their hits, including, 'Donna' but for their first encore, they did a most fantastic acapella version of the same song....
Wednesday 29th May 2013
Had a leisurely 3 hr drive home....... stopping for more chocolate! (Good job, Ozzie can’t see me now....)
Saturday 1st June 2013
I was watching ‘Sky Arts’ on Saturday 1st June. There was a show featuring our old mate Brian Johnson from AC/DC. He came across really well. He now lives in Florida and he was telling one story to the interviewer as to what made him persevere in the music business... When he was in his previous band, Geordie, he did quite a few shows with Slade in the 70's. He said that after doing a TOTP's performance which Slade were also on, he was waiting by the bus stop to go home. He remembers seeing us drive past, in our Rolls Royce Limousine. Our photo then came up on the TV screen and he said to himself..... “I want to have some of that”... The rest is history...
Friday 7th June 2013
I got up at 05:30 went to the fitness centre for my usual few hours work-out.
I came home to give Rocky his morning walk around the lakes and through the forest and I didn’t see a soul or dog....
I made my way to the bus station and took a nice ride (1 hr) to Billund airport.. I was there far too early but, as I know everyone there, they still checked me in. This meant I could eat and drink myself silly before my flight!
I had an uneventful flight to Oslo. Where I met H who had flown in from Birmingham about 15 mins before me. The promoter's daughter, Marie, then drove us to Biri - about a 3hr drive through a beautiful countryside of lakes and forests. We checked into the hotel, unpacked and all had dinner together. Would you believe, an early-to-bed night (10:00).
Saturday 8th June 2013
As usual, I was awake early at around07:30... I relaxed with tea before cleaning up (very slowly) to pass the time. Went for breakfast where H joined me.
Afterwards, I went for a walk to the beautiful village of Biri ( own mountainous roads, very steep). I had tea and cake in a wonderful tea shop right on the lake... (it reminded me of Sausalito, over San Francisco bay).
It was a ‘long’ walk back (up-hill). Found out that I’d been asked to write a review of a Small Faces box-set that was about to be released..... I really enjoyed doing that (another story).
The others arrived from the UK and I went with Tim & Robin (road crew) to the gig to sort my drums out. Had a great show saw many friends from the old days...
I was in bed by 01:30 am.
Sunday 9th June 2013
Stayed in bed till, 11:00 am. The others had already left for the UK.
I sent my best friend from, school Swinn, a birthday message for today. And I was driven to Stockholm airport for my flight back home..... (Nice Weekend).
Tuesday 11th June 2013 - seeing Kiss at the Forum København, Copenhagen
I was up early so I could get to the bathroom before everyone else in my house... We were all about to drive to, Copenhagen’s Forum Arena for the KISS concert.
Hanne, myself, Andreas and his girlfriend Marie spent three hours driving there. We met our friend Marion at her apartment, left the car there, and caught the Tube for a short journey to the Forum Arena. 6,000 people.
We had got the invite from the band because I’d made a contribution to their book, written by Ken Sharpe. Ken is an American writer, who had set all of this up....and arranged for Gene Simmons to make a contribution to my book.
I met Dean Snowden, Kiss’s tour manager, as arranged. He took us secretly to the room where KISS were to do a 45min. acoustic set, and sign autographs on photos and t-shirts that were in a Kiss presentation bag. Also to have photographs taken with fans who had paid for the privilege... All of this for the cost of $1,000 each (and a seat at the concert extra!)....
The band didn’t see me in the crowd...... When they asked for questions, I shouted: “Are you going to play any Slade songs tonight?”.
Gene Simmons looked up, pointed at me and said: “ I know you”.
Then, Paul Stanley said, “It’s Don”.
He then went on to tell the audience how Slade influenced them in the early days. He then said, he came to see us in concert 1975 in Passaic, New Jersey, supporting Peter Frampton. He then commented about Nod’s top-hat with the mirrors on, shining beams of light all round the theatre. He said he went home and put mirrors all over his guitar...
Then he proceeded to play ‘Run,Run Away’ and all the band joined in and the small crowd went crazy...
Of course we all got together later and I had my photo taken with them all in full costume.
By the way,the concert was amazing..... Mega stage set-up (all their own equiptment) Their ‘crew’ needed to be at the gig by 5:00 am to make sure it’s all ready (so Dean Snowden told me). It was fantastically loud... All the effects were exactly what you expected. Gene & Paul were flying round the arena on wires.....
WHAT A FANTASTIC DAY.
Thursday 13th June 2013
I was up at 06;30 am, got myself ready to be driven to Aarhus Airport.
I checked myself in to travel all the way through to Helsinki, where I relaxed in the lounge with breakfast.
I texted Abbie (Slade Manager) to let her know everything was OK, before flying to Copenhagen. I relaxed in the lounge there for about two hours before my onward flight to Helsinki.
Met everyone else there when they arrived from the UK. We all drove together for about 2 hours to Turku. I checked in the hotel and we all had dinner together before I had an early night, 23.15pm.
Friday 14th June 2013
I got up 09:00, cleaned up and went for breakfast... Everyone else was there,so I decided to go to the gig with Robin & Tim to sort my drums out. Everyone else arrived and we did our sound check, no problems.
We drove back to the hotel to relax before the show and to clean up. H and myself ate together before we all left for the show.
Had a great show to about 2000 people..... We all came back to the hotel and had a,drink together before I went to bed - 2:00am.
Earlier, I sent a text to Nod, wishing him Happy Birthday and told him about being at the KISS show in Copenhagen this week.
Saturday 15th June 2013
I was awake 08:00 before my alarm went off.....
I cleaned up and packed before going for breakfast, We all checked out and drove back to Helsinki ( 2hrs).
I left the others at one terminal to check in and fly back to UK...... I went to another terminal and checked in to fly back home via Copenhagen....
Tuesday 18th June 2013 - Keith Altham's bi-annual Lunch
(Slade's retired press agent, Keith Altham, arranges a six monthly lunch for his old clients. Don attended the latest event on Tuesday 18th June.)
I got up when the alarm went off at 01:30 am.
Cleaned up and drove to Billund Airport for my 06:20 flight to Stansted. It was a beautiful morning and smooth flight.
Managed to get a Stansted Express train straight away (the joy of having no luggage) into London.
I made my way to Oxford Circus and to HMV to do some shopping.... I always have my list of things to buy. First on it was the “History of the Eagles” on DVD.... and then on to the CD’s (with no idea today of what to get) and being faced with about 60 trillion of them.
My eyes glazed over, and.... I only got three (would you believe): “ The Essential Bruce Springsteen”, "The Cream of Eric Clapton” and “One Night Only” by the Bee Gees...... I always try to remember to make a list of what I want, as in the past when I get home, I find I’ve got about three or four of the same CD!
After copious amounts of tea, I made my way (by underground train & bus) to ‘La Strada Restaurant” in Barnes, which is overlooking the Thames. I actually have to pass the Olympic Recording Studios where Slade recorded the majority of their hits in the ‘70’s (as so did so many people). Alas, it’s no longer a studio (well I don’t think so anyway, as it was covered in boardings).
Would you believe, I was first to the restaurant. I was on the balcony sipping my mineral water (2013 vintage) when along came ‘Tich’ - the guitarist from Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. They had many, many hits in the ‘60’s.
Drove to Billund Airport in Denmark and checked in for my flight to Stansted. A full flight (good job I reserve my usual 1C seat). It was an un-eventful flight...... Caught the courtesy bus to my hotel and telephoned Robin (roadie / sound guy), I wanted to remind him not to forgot my, foot-pedal and sticks for the gigs - but no answer.
After checking in, I changed my room as nothing was working. No TV or heating or hot-water.....
Had an early night 10:00 pm.
Saturday 16th March 2013
Butlin's Minehead
I got up at 05:45 am, before my alarm went off.
Made tea and ‘woke-up’, before cleaning up. Packed and went for breakfast (which was very nice).
Checked out early and got the courtesy bus back to Stansted to catch my train to Minehead. Couldn’t get an early train from Paddington, so I sat in the Hilton Hotel drinking ‘copious’ amounts of tea, much to the surprise of other breakfast guests..
Abbie called to say that Robin (roadie / sound guy) wouldn’t be with us this weekend as he was really ill.
I got to Minehead and made my way to the hotel. I checked in un-packed..... MORE tea.
‘H’ arrived from Wolverhampton.... We had tea together before going to the gig for sound-check with the ‘house engineer’.
Had a great show.... sold out, 3000 people.
‘H’ and myself made our way back to the hotel... TEA would you believe bore bed at, 12:30 am.
Sunday 17th March 2013
Got up at 7:00 am, cleaned up and packed. Went for breakfast with ‘H’.
He left to drive back to Wolverhampton and I got an earlier train to Heathrow. Checked in at the Holiday Inn (used to stay there when we first went back on the ‘road’... it was called the ‘Crest’ then).
Caught a train to Hounslow to do some shopping, as I had a free day. Made my way back to the hotel and relaxed before an early night (20:30 pm).
Monday 18th March 2013
Flying to St Petersburg, Russia
Got up 4:00 am cleaned up and packed.
Met ‘H’ downstairs to go by cab to Terminal 1 to meet the others..... Checked in and flew to St Petersburg via Frankfurt. We were met by the promoter who drove us to the hotel (Taleon Imperial Hotel) where we all were checked in to suites.
We were all taken out for dinner. Came back to the, otel and I went to bed, 23:30 pm (20:30 pm in the UK) (Heavy metal).
Tuesday 19th March 2013
Concert in St Petersburg, Russia
I stayed in bed until, 11:00 am.... cleaned up..... and went for (wait for it) TEA.
Went to the gig (another luxurious hotel). We were to play in the hotel's Great Hall to 75 people for a birthday-party. Four bands were to play in all, would you believe. The drummer with one of the bands was the drummer from Quiet Riot - Bobby Rondinelli. He played with Quiet Riot between 1990 - 1993. (Quiet Riot took ‘C’mon Feel The Noize' to No1 in the American charts). When they did their sound-check, Bobby asked me to play his drums so he could go and listen out front..... I played Sabbath's, ‘ Paranoid’.
Anyway,,, we had a, great gig (only played 40 mins) and then we went out to another restaurant (in Russia they always feel they have to feed you).
I went to bed 23:30 pm (20:30 pm in the UK).
Wednesday 20th March 2013
Got up 8:00 am.
Cleaned up and packed..... met everyone for breakfast before they flew back to the UK - and I flew home to Denmark via Riga ( I had a 3 hour wait).
A VERY GOOD DIVERSE FEW DAYS.....
Friday 19th April 2013 - Flying to Førde, Norway
I was up at 7:00am, finished packing my case and got a lift into town. This was so I could get the bus to Billund Airport for my flight.
I checked myself in as far as Oslo (with no problems). I then relaxed in the lounge until my flight was ready (it was delayed 30 mins).
Landed in Oslo (an uneventful flight).
Spent some time in the lounge in Oslo Airport and spoke to my old mate, John Coghlan, Status Quo's original drummer, on the phone until my flight to Førde as ready... He told me the gigs with Quo’s original line-up were great and they might do it again next year....I spoke to Sam Hill. He and his dad ‘H’ were already checked in the hotel.
My flight was only on a tiny plane so I felt every bump there was! But, to make up for it, the scenery from the plane window was breathtaking ( the lakes, forest and mountains).
I was met at the airport in Førde by Remi Tystad, the promoter. We drove to the hotel and checked in. As I said before ‘H’ and his son Sam were there already. We all had dinner together before I went to my room and was in bed by 11:00pm
I heard Ozzy and Sharon had split up... DON’T KNOW WHY...
Saturday 20th April 2013 - Gig in Førde, Norway
Stayed in bed until 9:00am. Relaxed and cleaned up before going for breakfast. Everyone else was there they got in around 11:30 pm the previous night.
Had a stroll around Førde, it was beautiful place. I found out that Eric Clapton goes there a lot on fishing trips (but not this weekend) !
We went to the club we were playing to do a sound-check. Then went back to the hotel for lunch and to clean up for the gig...
It was a great club gig. It brought back so many memories.
I went back to the hotel and was in bed by 1:00 pm.
Sunday 21st April 2013 - Flight back to Denmark
I was up by 9:00 am. I cleaned up and packed. Went for tea... The others left for the airport for their flight....
I had lunch with Remi before he drove me to get my plane home.....
A GREAT WEEKEND IN NORWAY...
Friday 17th May 2013 - Seeing Smokie
My wife Hanne, Marianne (our good friend from Copenhagen) and me got ready to drive to Skive (here in Denmark) to see our good friends Smokie..... As always, we are always made to feel SO welcome. We eat with them at their hotel before the show. Also, after their show we had lots of drinks with them before wishing them goodbye (we drove home and they went to bed. An early start for them as they were travelling to Israel the next day for concerts).
Friday 24th May 2013 - Hamburg gig
Around lunchtime, we started to pack the car so Hanne, Marianne and myself could drive to Lubeck just over the German border near Hamburg. The drive would take us about 3 hours so there was no panic...
Of course, we stopped at the massive ‘border’ shopping warehouses between Denmark and Germany to stock up on chocolate, booze and other goodies.
We eventually got to the Holiday Inn in Lubeck, checked in, unpacked and relaxed.... We then found out that H had problems at Heathrow..... Everything was closed because of fires (somewhere) So, he was diverted to Manchester. He had to stay the night there and then fly out to Hamburg the following day, Saturday (the day of the gig).
Saturday 25th May 2013 - Gig with Suzi Quatro
Got up just in time for breakfast.. Relaxed before cleaning up. H eventually arrived from the UK as did the others. I went to the gig with Robin (sound guy) and Tim (backline roadie) to sort my drums out (no- sound check).
I bumped into Suzi Quatro and her husband Reiner Hass at the hotel and had a little chat with them both before we all went back to the gig. We had an early show, the 14,000 crowd were fantastic. I didn’t get to see Suzi’s show (however I heard It rained throughout her set). After her show, she and Reiner drove the short distance to Hamburg where Reiner has an apartment. Had drinks with everyone in the hotel before going to bed at 12:00.
Also on the show were The Troggs and also The Early Yardbirds - the band Eric Clapton started in. Slade used to play ‘I Wish You Would’ a track from their 1960’s EP called ‘Five Live Yardbirds’ recorded at The Marquee.
Monday 27th May 2013
Spent the day having a leisurely 3 hour drive home stopping for more chocolate at the border shops.
Tuesday 28th May 2013 - Paul Burgess
I got a call from good friend Paul Burgess. He is now full time drummer with 10CC. They were playing local (The Culture House in Struer). We toured the States with them in 1975 when ‘I’m Not In Love’ was No1 in America. On that tour were KISS... SLADE... & 10CC... Yes, they opened the show. Paul and myself met way back then. We have remained friends ever since.... Back in the ‘70’s Paul was 2nd drummer to Kevin Godley who left with the other original member, Lol Creme, to start making Pop videos.
Graham Gouldman who joined in 1975 to tour with them is a, very successful songwriter in his own right He wrote songs such as ‘For Your Love’ by the Yardbirds in the 1960’s, ‘Look Through Any Window’ for The Hollies in 1963 and among others ‘No Milk Today’ for Hermans Hermits.
I had a great time backstage with them before and after their show..... Eating their food and, drinking their booze. Ha.......!
10CC obviously played all their hits, including, 'Donna' but for their first encore, they did a most fantastic acapella version of the same song....
Wednesday 29th May 2013
Had a leisurely 3 hr drive home....... stopping for more chocolate! (Good job, Ozzie can’t see me now....)
Saturday 1st June 2013
I was watching ‘Sky Arts’ on Saturday 1st June. There was a show featuring our old mate Brian Johnson from AC/DC. He came across really well. He now lives in Florida and he was telling one story to the interviewer as to what made him persevere in the music business... When he was in his previous band, Geordie, he did quite a few shows with Slade in the 70's. He said that after doing a TOTP's performance which Slade were also on, he was waiting by the bus stop to go home. He remembers seeing us drive past, in our Rolls Royce Limousine. Our photo then came up on the TV screen and he said to himself..... “I want to have some of that”... The rest is history...
Friday 7th June 2013
I got up at 05:30 went to the fitness centre for my usual few hours work-out.
I came home to give Rocky his morning walk around the lakes and through the forest and I didn’t see a soul or dog....
I made my way to the bus station and took a nice ride (1 hr) to Billund airport.. I was there far too early but, as I know everyone there, they still checked me in. This meant I could eat and drink myself silly before my flight!
I had an uneventful flight to Oslo. Where I met H who had flown in from Birmingham about 15 mins before me. The promoter's daughter, Marie, then drove us to Biri - about a 3hr drive through a beautiful countryside of lakes and forests. We checked into the hotel, unpacked and all had dinner together. Would you believe, an early-to-bed night (10:00).
Saturday 8th June 2013
As usual, I was awake early at around07:30... I relaxed with tea before cleaning up (very slowly) to pass the time. Went for breakfast where H joined me.
Afterwards, I went for a walk to the beautiful village of Biri ( own mountainous roads, very steep). I had tea and cake in a wonderful tea shop right on the lake... (it reminded me of Sausalito, over San Francisco bay).
It was a ‘long’ walk back (up-hill). Found out that I’d been asked to write a review of a Small Faces box-set that was about to be released..... I really enjoyed doing that (another story).
The others arrived from the UK and I went with Tim & Robin (road crew) to the gig to sort my drums out. Had a great show saw many friends from the old days...
I was in bed by 01:30 am.
Sunday 9th June 2013
Stayed in bed till, 11:00 am. The others had already left for the UK.
I sent my best friend from, school Swinn, a birthday message for today. And I was driven to Stockholm airport for my flight back home..... (Nice Weekend).
Tuesday 11th June 2013 - seeing Kiss at the Forum København, Copenhagen
I was up early so I could get to the bathroom before everyone else in my house... We were all about to drive to, Copenhagen’s Forum Arena for the KISS concert.
Hanne, myself, Andreas and his girlfriend Marie spent three hours driving there. We met our friend Marion at her apartment, left the car there, and caught the Tube for a short journey to the Forum Arena. 6,000 people.
We had got the invite from the band because I’d made a contribution to their book, written by Ken Sharpe. Ken is an American writer, who had set all of this up....and arranged for Gene Simmons to make a contribution to my book.
I met Dean Snowden, Kiss’s tour manager, as arranged. He took us secretly to the room where KISS were to do a 45min. acoustic set, and sign autographs on photos and t-shirts that were in a Kiss presentation bag. Also to have photographs taken with fans who had paid for the privilege... All of this for the cost of $1,000 each (and a seat at the concert extra!)....
The band didn’t see me in the crowd...... When they asked for questions, I shouted: “Are you going to play any Slade songs tonight?”.
Gene Simmons looked up, pointed at me and said: “ I know you”.
Then, Paul Stanley said, “It’s Don”.
He then went on to tell the audience how Slade influenced them in the early days. He then said, he came to see us in concert 1975 in Passaic, New Jersey, supporting Peter Frampton. He then commented about Nod’s top-hat with the mirrors on, shining beams of light all round the theatre. He said he went home and put mirrors all over his guitar...
Then he proceeded to play ‘Run,Run Away’ and all the band joined in and the small crowd went crazy...
Of course we all got together later and I had my photo taken with them all in full costume.
By the way,the concert was amazing..... Mega stage set-up (all their own equiptment) Their ‘crew’ needed to be at the gig by 5:00 am to make sure it’s all ready (so Dean Snowden told me). It was fantastically loud... All the effects were exactly what you expected. Gene & Paul were flying round the arena on wires.....
WHAT A FANTASTIC DAY.
Thursday 13th June 2013
I was up at 06;30 am, got myself ready to be driven to Aarhus Airport.
I checked myself in to travel all the way through to Helsinki, where I relaxed in the lounge with breakfast.
I texted Abbie (Slade Manager) to let her know everything was OK, before flying to Copenhagen. I relaxed in the lounge there for about two hours before my onward flight to Helsinki.
Met everyone else there when they arrived from the UK. We all drove together for about 2 hours to Turku. I checked in the hotel and we all had dinner together before I had an early night, 23.15pm.
Friday 14th June 2013
I got up 09:00, cleaned up and went for breakfast... Everyone else was there,so I decided to go to the gig with Robin & Tim to sort my drums out. Everyone else arrived and we did our sound check, no problems.
We drove back to the hotel to relax before the show and to clean up. H and myself ate together before we all left for the show.
Had a great show to about 2000 people..... We all came back to the hotel and had a,drink together before I went to bed - 2:00am.
Earlier, I sent a text to Nod, wishing him Happy Birthday and told him about being at the KISS show in Copenhagen this week.
Saturday 15th June 2013
I was awake 08:00 before my alarm went off.....
I cleaned up and packed before going for breakfast, We all checked out and drove back to Helsinki ( 2hrs).
I left the others at one terminal to check in and fly back to UK...... I went to another terminal and checked in to fly back home via Copenhagen....
Tuesday 18th June 2013 - Keith Altham's bi-annual Lunch
(Slade's retired press agent, Keith Altham, arranges a six monthly lunch for his old clients. Don attended the latest event on Tuesday 18th June.)
I got up when the alarm went off at 01:30 am.
Cleaned up and drove to Billund Airport for my 06:20 flight to Stansted. It was a beautiful morning and smooth flight.
Managed to get a Stansted Express train straight away (the joy of having no luggage) into London.
I made my way to Oxford Circus and to HMV to do some shopping.... I always have my list of things to buy. First on it was the “History of the Eagles” on DVD.... and then on to the CD’s (with no idea today of what to get) and being faced with about 60 trillion of them.
My eyes glazed over, and.... I only got three (would you believe): “ The Essential Bruce Springsteen”, "The Cream of Eric Clapton” and “One Night Only” by the Bee Gees...... I always try to remember to make a list of what I want, as in the past when I get home, I find I’ve got about three or four of the same CD!
After copious amounts of tea, I made my way (by underground train & bus) to ‘La Strada Restaurant” in Barnes, which is overlooking the Thames. I actually have to pass the Olympic Recording Studios where Slade recorded the majority of their hits in the ‘70’s (as so did so many people). Alas, it’s no longer a studio (well I don’t think so anyway, as it was covered in boardings).
Would you believe, I was first to the restaurant. I was on the balcony sipping my mineral water (2013 vintage) when along came ‘Tich’ - the guitarist from Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. They had many, many hits in the ‘60’s.
Don with Bruce Welch - photo courtesy of Lesley-Anne Jones
Slowly the place fills up. I spend the first 30 mins talking to John Coughlan (original Quo drummer). Finally, we all sit wherever we can (there’s no pecking order). I happen to sit by Bruce Welch (The Shadows, a wonderful gentleman). Also there are Mo Foster (session bass guitarist, who’s played with Phil Collins), Jeff Beck, Brian May, Gerry Raferty, Peter Green, Van Morrison, and Clem Cattini (a session drummer, who, would you believe has played drums on 55 No 1 hit records. What an achievement eh, apart from all the other records he’s played on). Clem was originally the Tornado's drummer (Telstar).
At these events all us guests all inter mingle with who ever is there and swap great stories. (If only those walls could talk...) Nod was at the event. He was down the other end of the table. We always end up being last to leave as, everyone has heard our stories, ‘trillions’ of times.
After it’s all over, I make my way back to, Stansted to fly home after another incredible day.......
Thursday 20th June 2013
Got up, 07:00 when my alarm went off, cleaned up, finished packing and drove to Billund Airport to get my flight to Birmingham.....
There were only 5 passengers on the plane including me. I joked with the flight staff about whether they would get paid as maybe the airline would go ‘bankrupt’......
Anyway, a nice flight (a bit more time to drink loads of tea)...
When I got to Birmingham, I then caught the train to Wolverhampton (more people on the train than one the flight!),
I remembered where the bus-stop was and caught the bus (20p) to Bilston, stopping just round the corner from The Robin. I walked the 100 metres past our original singer's house (Johnny Howells). This is where we used to rehearse in the front room.
At The Robin I was met by Mike Hamblet (the owner). He has now extended the building to incorporate a brand new Robin Hotel.
I was shown to a very nice comfortable room. I unpacked, more tea....
Then I got a taxi to my parents grave. It's in a cemetery on the site of the old Penn Common, where Mom and Dad used to take us kids for picnics and to play football every Sunday afternoon.
I called my brother Derek and we arranged for us all to go out for a meal later. I cleaned up and waited to be picked up by Derek and Chris (his wife). They have been together since they were both 14 yrs old! We drove to their son, Ian's house, where he lives with his girlfriend Mel. They will marry this year.
I had a lovely night before they dropped me back at the hotel and I was in bed by 11:00 pm.
Friday 21st June 2013
I woke at 09:00 made tea and cleaned up and went to the breakfast room for more tea. I met with some old fans, and friends, Rod and Wendy from Hereford in Cafe Metro in the High Street. I then got a phone call from old the old Vendors / 'N Betweens guitarist Mickey Marson on my mobile. He came and joined us and we had a good couple of hours chatting...
At these events all us guests all inter mingle with who ever is there and swap great stories. (If only those walls could talk...) Nod was at the event. He was down the other end of the table. We always end up being last to leave as, everyone has heard our stories, ‘trillions’ of times.
After it’s all over, I make my way back to, Stansted to fly home after another incredible day.......
Thursday 20th June 2013
Got up, 07:00 when my alarm went off, cleaned up, finished packing and drove to Billund Airport to get my flight to Birmingham.....
There were only 5 passengers on the plane including me. I joked with the flight staff about whether they would get paid as maybe the airline would go ‘bankrupt’......
Anyway, a nice flight (a bit more time to drink loads of tea)...
When I got to Birmingham, I then caught the train to Wolverhampton (more people on the train than one the flight!),
I remembered where the bus-stop was and caught the bus (20p) to Bilston, stopping just round the corner from The Robin. I walked the 100 metres past our original singer's house (Johnny Howells). This is where we used to rehearse in the front room.
At The Robin I was met by Mike Hamblet (the owner). He has now extended the building to incorporate a brand new Robin Hotel.
I was shown to a very nice comfortable room. I unpacked, more tea....
Then I got a taxi to my parents grave. It's in a cemetery on the site of the old Penn Common, where Mom and Dad used to take us kids for picnics and to play football every Sunday afternoon.
I called my brother Derek and we arranged for us all to go out for a meal later. I cleaned up and waited to be picked up by Derek and Chris (his wife). They have been together since they were both 14 yrs old! We drove to their son, Ian's house, where he lives with his girlfriend Mel. They will marry this year.
I had a lovely night before they dropped me back at the hotel and I was in bed by 11:00 pm.
Friday 21st June 2013
I woke at 09:00 made tea and cleaned up and went to the breakfast room for more tea. I met with some old fans, and friends, Rod and Wendy from Hereford in Cafe Metro in the High Street. I then got a phone call from old the old Vendors / 'N Betweens guitarist Mickey Marson on my mobile. He came and joined us and we had a good couple of hours chatting...
Later I went back to the hotel and went downstairs to the ‘gig’ and helped Jon from ‘Now-Hire’ set the equipment up before the others arrived.
We did our ‘sound-check’..... relaxed and cleaned up for the show.
Brother Derek came with one of our old school mates (John Delaney) to the show. It must be 50 years since I’ve seen him.
We had a great ‘gig’ playing to friends and family. I was in bed by 11:45 pm..... Another great day.
Saturday 22nd June 2013
Got up when the alarm went off - 07:00am. I cleaned up, packed and went for breakfast. We all checked out and drove to Whitehaven...
We did our ‘sound-check’..... relaxed and cleaned up for the show.
Brother Derek came with one of our old school mates (John Delaney) to the show. It must be 50 years since I’ve seen him.
We had a great ‘gig’ playing to friends and family. I was in bed by 11:45 pm..... Another great day.
Saturday 22nd June 2013
Got up when the alarm went off - 07:00am. I cleaned up, packed and went for breakfast. We all checked out and drove to Whitehaven...
Funnily when we stopped for lunch on the motorway services, we met our old friends Showaddywaddy on their way to play a gig in Newcastle Upon Tyne!
I got to our gig (in the town square). They had a big town carnival that day!...... We did our sound check after our mates Sweet.
We checked in the hotel. Cleaned up. Then Sweet, Bruce Foxton's Jam and ourselves drove back to the gig together. We had a great gig to 2,000 people. I had tea back at the hotel with Andy Scott, before I went to bed at 12:30 am.
Sunday 23rd June 2013
Got up 07:00 am. I cleaned up and went for breakfast. All the other bands came down one by one. I checked out of the hotel and drove back to Wolverhampton with H.....
He dropped me at the Brittania Hotel. H and myself had a great chat about music and the old Slade band on our drive to Wolverhampton..... I had a walk round town before I had an early night.
Monday 24th June 2013
I was awake 06:30, cleaned up and packed before going for breakfast,
I went to the bank, and also posted some paperwork to my good friend and accountant, Alan Heywood.
H picked me up and we drove to Solihull to spend the day trying out new singers... I wasn’t impressed with any of them, I’m afraid.
John Berry dropped me at my hotel at Stansted Airport and I had an early night 9:30 pm...
Tuesday 25th June 2013
I got up when my alarm went off - 03:00am.
I cleaned up and packed to get the bus to the terminal and got the 06:30 am flight home....
Friday 5th July 2013
Got up 06:00am when my alarm went off. I got myself ready and drove to Billund Airport to fly to Edinburgh.
Sue Wilson from the National Autistic Society met me and we drove about an hour to the beautiful Dryburgh Abbey Hotel on the Scottish borders were I had been booked into an enormous suite....
We had some lunch before driving to the showground - where the Kelso Bmf Bikefest was being held. I was there to help raise money for the Autistic Society. I met the events organiser, Martin Chick, and his team who showed me all around the site.... The most amazing motor bikes were on display (how they keep them in such pristine condition, I’ll never know).
I met all the people who were taking part in this weekend's events... I managed to ‘jam’ with 3 bands (more later..).
I drove back to the hotel to clean up and go for dinner with the festival organisers. I came back to my hotel.... more tea before I went to bed at 21:45pm.
I got to our gig (in the town square). They had a big town carnival that day!...... We did our sound check after our mates Sweet.
We checked in the hotel. Cleaned up. Then Sweet, Bruce Foxton's Jam and ourselves drove back to the gig together. We had a great gig to 2,000 people. I had tea back at the hotel with Andy Scott, before I went to bed at 12:30 am.
Sunday 23rd June 2013
Got up 07:00 am. I cleaned up and went for breakfast. All the other bands came down one by one. I checked out of the hotel and drove back to Wolverhampton with H.....
He dropped me at the Brittania Hotel. H and myself had a great chat about music and the old Slade band on our drive to Wolverhampton..... I had a walk round town before I had an early night.
Monday 24th June 2013
I was awake 06:30, cleaned up and packed before going for breakfast,
I went to the bank, and also posted some paperwork to my good friend and accountant, Alan Heywood.
H picked me up and we drove to Solihull to spend the day trying out new singers... I wasn’t impressed with any of them, I’m afraid.
John Berry dropped me at my hotel at Stansted Airport and I had an early night 9:30 pm...
Tuesday 25th June 2013
I got up when my alarm went off - 03:00am.
I cleaned up and packed to get the bus to the terminal and got the 06:30 am flight home....
Friday 5th July 2013
Got up 06:00am when my alarm went off. I got myself ready and drove to Billund Airport to fly to Edinburgh.
Sue Wilson from the National Autistic Society met me and we drove about an hour to the beautiful Dryburgh Abbey Hotel on the Scottish borders were I had been booked into an enormous suite....
We had some lunch before driving to the showground - where the Kelso Bmf Bikefest was being held. I was there to help raise money for the Autistic Society. I met the events organiser, Martin Chick, and his team who showed me all around the site.... The most amazing motor bikes were on display (how they keep them in such pristine condition, I’ll never know).
I met all the people who were taking part in this weekend's events... I managed to ‘jam’ with 3 bands (more later..).
I drove back to the hotel to clean up and go for dinner with the festival organisers. I came back to my hotel.... more tea before I went to bed at 21:45pm.
Saturday 6th July 2013
I was awake at 09:30 before my alarm went off.
I cleaned up and went for breakfast. Sue Wilson joined me before we drove back to the festival site.
We had another great day raising money for the Autistic Society selling Don Powell & Slade photo’s and CD’s etc.
(asking people to make donations to have their photo taken with me). I managed to get in touch with Madeleine Chandler's (Chas Chandler's widow) who now lives in Berwick. I got her phone number from the organisers and gave her a call. It was great to chat with her she invited us round, but we didn’t have time because of our schedule..... I will invite her to some shows on the Xmas UK tour!
I went back to the hotel to clean up and to go out for dinner. I had another great day ‘jamming’ with bands (once again more info later).
I was in bed by 00.15am.
I was awake at 09:30 before my alarm went off.
I cleaned up and went for breakfast. Sue Wilson joined me before we drove back to the festival site.
We had another great day raising money for the Autistic Society selling Don Powell & Slade photo’s and CD’s etc.
(asking people to make donations to have their photo taken with me). I managed to get in touch with Madeleine Chandler's (Chas Chandler's widow) who now lives in Berwick. I got her phone number from the organisers and gave her a call. It was great to chat with her she invited us round, but we didn’t have time because of our schedule..... I will invite her to some shows on the Xmas UK tour!
I went back to the hotel to clean up and to go out for dinner. I had another great day ‘jamming’ with bands (once again more info later).
I was in bed by 00.15am.
Sunday 7th July 2013
I got up when the alarm went off 07:00am. I cleaned up and packed and went for breakfast.
I checked out of my beautiful hotel and Sue Wilson drove to to a radio station for an interview.. Then it was back to the showground site to help everyone pack up.
Sue then drove me to check in the Edinburgh Airport Hilton Hotel - where I stay the night. I eat in the hotel before going to bed 22:00pm.
I got up when the alarm went off 07:00am. I cleaned up and packed and went for breakfast.
I checked out of my beautiful hotel and Sue Wilson drove to to a radio station for an interview.. Then it was back to the showground site to help everyone pack up.
Sue then drove me to check in the Edinburgh Airport Hilton Hotel - where I stay the night. I eat in the hotel before going to bed 22:00pm.
Monday 8th July 2013
I was up at 04:00 to check out of the hotel and get the bus to the terminal to fly home. I had a great weekend helping to raise lots of money for the Autistic Society.
A list of the songs and bands I jammed with over the weekend:
Gibbet Hill
Alright Now
Tie Your Mother Down
Alma Fiera
Smoke On The Water
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Joanovarc (they supported Slade at The Robin on 21st June)
Rockin' All Over The World
Cum On Feel The Noize
I was up at 04:00 to check out of the hotel and get the bus to the terminal to fly home. I had a great weekend helping to raise lots of money for the Autistic Society.
A list of the songs and bands I jammed with over the weekend:
Gibbet Hill
Alright Now
Tie Your Mother Down
Alma Fiera
Smoke On The Water
Mama Weer All Crazee Now
Joanovarc (they supported Slade at The Robin on 21st June)
Rockin' All Over The World
Cum On Feel The Noize
Bessie and the Zinc Buckets
Coz I Luv You
Right Said Fred
Whiskey In The Jar
(Now I'm a honorary, called Don 'Bucket' Powell)
Ian James and The Sound
Sweet Home Alabama
Fatlips
Gimme Some Lovin'
I Just Wanna Make Love To You
Coz I Luv You
Right Said Fred
Whiskey In The Jar
(Now I'm a honorary, called Don 'Bucket' Powell)
Ian James and The Sound
Sweet Home Alabama
Fatlips
Gimme Some Lovin'
I Just Wanna Make Love To You
Thursday 11th July 2013
Got up 05:00am before my alarm went off.
Packed the car and drove to Billund Airport. Checked in all the way to Joensuu via Copenhagen and Helsinki.
I let Abbie know that all was fine while I was relaxing in the lounge at Billund. I flew to Copenhagen and relaxed in the lounge there before flying on to Helsinki. I eventually met the others - they were late arriving from the UK.
They checked in to Joensuu and only just made the plane! When we got to Joensuu their suitcases didn’t arrive, nor the equipment boxes, guitars and personal suitcases...
I was renting socks and ‘pants’ to them......
We all checked in the hotel and decided to eat there...... Relaxed that evening and was in bed by 11:15pm.
Friday 12th July 2013
Got up when my alarm went off at 9.00am
Cleaned up and went for tea.... too late for breakfast.
I walked to the gig and set my drums up before the others arrived for the sound check.... No problems.
Came back to the hotel to be invited to lunch by the Lady Mayoress and her entourage. Very nice too......
Afterwards, I relaxed in my room watching TV. I saw about all flights in and out of Heathrow were suspended, because of a fire on a plane..... ( I could see a ‘windup’ to the others coming on....)
We had a great open air gig to 4,000 people in the town square..... except my monitors went off in the first song. Tim worked fantastically and got them back on during our 5th song.
Had a drink back at the hotel after the show before going to bed at 01:00am.
Saturday 13th July 2013
I got up at 06:00am before my alarm was due to go off 07:00am.
I cleaned up and packed and went for breakfast.
We drove to Joensuu Airport, to fly home via Helsinki and Riga.....
I left the others in Helsinki Airport for their flight back to UK.
I relaxed in the lounge before my flight to Riga (more tea in the lounge there). I then flew home to Billund.
I was reading an old newspaper (May 23rd’s Times) in the lounge. It detailed how Trevor Boulder (bass player from the Spiders from Mars, later, Uriah Heep) lost his life against cancer on 21st May - aged 62....
I only met him a few times, but what a very nice, unassuming bloke he was. RIP Trevor.
Sunday 14th July 2013
I have just heard that our mate, Gareth Jones, has recorded a version of Wonderin' Y. I wrote the lyrics to that song. It's a really nice version.
https://soundcloud.com/garethjones-tv/wonderin-y-testmix1
Thursday 18th July 2013
I was awake 07:30am, got up and took Rocky for a walk before I cleaned up and packed. Caught the bus to Billund Airport.
Checked in to fly to Berlin Via Copenhagen. Flew to Copenhagen and relaxed in the lounge before flying to Berlin. Both flights were smooth as the weather was wonderful.
Suzanne (our driver in Germany) was there to meet me. We relaxed, drinking tea for an hour waiting for H to arrive from Birmingham.
When he arrived, we loaded the mini-bus up and drove for about an hour to our hotel in Luckenwalde..... I was in bed by 12:30am.
Friday 19th July 2013
I was awake 09:15..... Cleaned up and went for tea. Relaxed all day at the hotel until the others arrived from the UK.
I went to the gig with Robin and Mark (from Mud - helping out as Tim was away). I couldn’t do anything as the festival was about to start.... Came back to the hotel for a while............. The fesitival was DORF-UND BIKERFEST, other bands on the bill were: 20Jahre, Motorblast, Mondodos Del Cielo, Nees High and Aces High.
We had a fantastic show and played to over 5,000 people.
Drove back to the hotel, and everything was closed. I was in bed by 02:15am.
Saturday 20th July 2013
Woke when my alarm went off 06:00am...... I cleaned up and packed and went for breakfast.
Suzanne drove myself and H to fly back to Birmingham and Mal to fly back to Finland with his girlfriend.
I (as usual) relaxed in the lounges in Berlin and Copenhagen on my way to my final destination, Billund.
Another great weekend...................
Friday 26th July 2013
I woke at 06:00 cleaned up and packed the car to drive to Billund Airport. Checked in all the way to Vienna. I let Abbie know while I was relaxing in the lounge.. It was very foggy morning at Billund Airport.
Flew to Frankfurt and had a 3 hour wait..... I had to get the shuttle from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 so I could go to the lounge - there’s only so much tea you can drink.
When I got to Vienna, Peter from the promoter's office met me. We had about an hours drive to Wiener Neustadt where we were staying and playing. I checked in to ‘The Orange Wings Hotel’ ( NO AIR CONDITIONING). It was a sweltering 35 degrees. I unpacked and relaxed.... Mal arrived just after me from Finland, where he’d been staying with his girlfriend.
I was in bed by 8:00 pm. Could not sleep because of the heat. I heard H arrive and heard him complaining....
Saturday 27th July 2013
Got up 07:00pm when my alarm went off.
I cleaned up and went for breakfast with Abbie and Suzanne (our German driver). I was told H had already changed hotels!
I had breakfast with John Richards (The Rubettes’ drummer).... Everyone else came down to eat one by one.
I walked to the gig to sort my drums out before everyone else arrived. It was a sweltering 35 degrees all day.
We had a fantastic show to 5,000 people. Also on the bill were The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Chris Andrews and Middle Of The Road.
After the gig both Mal and myself also changed hotels to an airport hotel with air conditioning! We drove there with Sweet after their show. We checked in and we all had a drink together before I went to bed at 01:15am
Sunday 28th July 2013
I was awake at 08:30 am made tea in my beautiful air conditioned room and cleaned up.
I went downstairs, breakfast was still on at 11:00 (as it was an airport hotel). Abbie, Suzanne, Mark (from the Mud crew - helping us again) Bruce Bisland (Sweet) drummer, Adam (Sweet) roadie were all there.
I said cheerio to Andy Scott before walking to the terminal with Bruce and Adam. They went their way and I went to the lounge. MORE TEA! Flight delayed 20 mins, meaning I had to race when I landed in Frankfurt to my gate for my flight to Billund.. When I got to Billund at 23:40 pm, my suitcase hadn’t... I spent the next 30 mins (along with six other people doing the same) filling out forms for baggage control & claim.
WATCH THIS SPACE...................
Monday 29th July 2013
I've just heard from Billund Airport. They have my suitcase. I'll collect it tomorrow.
Thursday 1st August 2013
I was up 07:30. All the family cleaned up and we packed the car.
We drove 1 hr to the border at Grenaa...... Hanne, Myself, Anne-Kirstine, Andreas and Marie. We boarded the ferry and spent four hours at sea sailing to Varberg in Sweden.
Our hotel was also in that town, so no driving.... It was a beautiful hotel, so all the kids were happy.
Our good friend Thomas Helmeg met ‘H’ at the airport in Stockholm and drove him to the hotel.
We all had dinner together at the hotel, before going to bed at 12:00 midnight........ Terry, Martin and Mike from Smokie arrived. We had a chat with them before going to our room.
Friday 2nd August 2013
I stayed in bed until 10:00 am.
There was a message from Abbie to say that John Berry, Robin, Tim and herself were relaxing in the lounge at Heathrow Airport.
I cleaned up and walked to the town square (where the gig was) and set my drums up. Jimmy Larson’s company from Denmark were supplying the ‘backline’ as they’d done on many occasions. Toot Carman, an English guy, living and working for Jimmy in Denmark was in charge of my drums. A well together guy, who used to work for our old mates Quo.
We opened the show for Sweet and Smokie to 3000 people. A great gig. I met a guy from Gothenburg who knew Chas Chandler and his first wife Lotte at the gig.......
I walked back to the hotel after our show and was in bed by 9:30pm (heavy-metal).
Saturday 3rd August 2013
Got up when the alarm went off at 08:00am. I cleaned up, packed and went for breakfast.
Checked out the hotel and drove a few hours to Malmo.
We only had a day room at the hotel as we would drive home after our ‘spot’
We opened the show again for Sweet and Smokie to 5000 people, another great gig.
After the gig, we packed the car and drove home to Denmark via the bridge from Sweden to Denmark.
I was home in, Demark and in bed by 02:00am
A great weekend with our great mates Sweet and Smokie...
DON'S INFO SHEET FOR THE KULDIGA GIG IN LATVIA
16.08.2013.
9.00 Arnis pick up Mr. Powell art Airport
Arnis will hold sign with Mr. Powell name
9.30 Arnis and Mr. Powell leave to Kuldiga by Arnis Car
12.00 Arnis and Mr. Powell arrive to Kuldiga- Hotel Metropole
17.30 Valeria Pick up band in Airport
Valeria will hold sign with Slade name
17.45 Valeria with Slade leave to Kuldiga by Bus
20.30 Valeria with Slade arrive to Kuldiga hotel Metropole
17.08.2013.
12.15 Lunch at hotel Metropole
13.00 Arnis Pick up Tech guys at Metropole
13.05 Arnis with Tech guys leave to Venue
Arnis Car/Bus!
13.15 Tech guys at venue
(Stage ready for Slade)
14.00 Bus pick up Slade for Souncheck at Metropole
TBC
14.30 Slade Soundcheck
15.30 End of Soundcheck
15.40 Bus pick up Slade at venue
16.00 Bus at Hotel Metropole
18.30 Dinner at hotel Metropole
21.00 Bus pick up Slade at hotel Metropole
21.05 Bus leave hotel Metropole
21.15 Bus arrive to venue
21.30 Changeover
22.00 Slade on stage
23.30 Cuerf
23.50 Bus leave venue to hotel Metropole
24.00 Bus arrive to Hotel Metropole
18.08.2013.
08:00 Bus pick up Slade at hotel Metropole
10:00 Bus arrive to airport
12.00 Departure
DY1073 Depart Riga 12:00 arrives Oslo 12:35
12.15 Arnis pick up Mr.Powell at hotel Metropole
12.20 Arnis and Mr.Powell leave hotel by Arnis Car
12.30 Venue check by Arnis
13.00 Arnis and Mr.Powell leave Kuldiga by Arnis Car
15.30 Arnis and Mr.Powell arrive to Riga
15.30 Kind of excursion of city just spend the time
18.00 Leave Riga to Airport
19.30 Arrive to Airport
22.40 Departure
Flight No.: BT145
Friday 16th August 2013
I got up 02:00am when my alarm went off, cleaned up and packed the car to drive to Billund Airport. I checked in for my flight to Riga, Latvia.
I text Abbie to let her know everything was OK at 03:15am.... My text was also her wake-up call!
I relaxed in the lounge before a two and a half hour flight to Riga. We actually landed 45 mins ahead of schedule!
Arnis was there to meet me in a rental car. He had to change cars as he was having problems. We had a really nice 3 hr drive to Kuldiga stopping for a ‘heavy-metal’ lunch of tea & cake.....
Checked into a really nice hotel and unpacked. I text Abbie to let her know before having a nice stroll round town....
I left message’s for everyone to say I was going to bed at 18:00pm..... At 17:45am Abbie sent a text to say they’d all just landed.
Saturday 17th August 2013
I stayed in bed until 09:30am. I cleaned up and went downstairs and breakfast was still on....
Abbie, H and myself had a long chat about the upcoming UK tour and other things.
I went to the gig with the ‘crew’ for the sound check. It was a great open air venue. After sorting the equipment out, we all drove back to the hotel to eat together...
I relaxed in my room watching Bonanza on tv with Latvian voice overdubs!
I left for the gig. It was a great show to 3,000 people. Security would let people stand up and ‘rave’ BUT they weren't allowed move from by their seats! We soon changed that, much to the disdain of the security guards!
The Lady Mayor was at the gig and we all had photos taken with her... We went back to the hotel for a late ‘pot’ of tea. I was in bed by 01:30am.
Sunday 18th August 2013
I was awake at 08:00am. I cleaned up and packed far too early. The others had already left at 08:00....
I had breakfast with Arnis, before driving back to Riga airport,..... He wanted to go home. This meant I had a 9 hr wait at the airport before my flight to Denmark!
‘Copious’ amounts of tea, cakes and chocolate were consumed before I left... (I could have almost flown to LA the time I was at the airport.....)
Thursday 22nd August 2013
I was awake 07:00am spent a few hours in the fitness-centre.
I went home to pack my case and the car to drive 3hrs to Schleswig for the Baltic Open Air concert.
Andreas (my step-son) and Marianne our good friend from Copenhagen, travelled with me. We checked in our hotel at the same time as Mal McNulty who had just arrived from Manchester..
I relaxed in our room and found out the rest of the guys were having a hard time at Heathrow.... Apparently, when they were racing down the runway for take off the pilot aborted, and they then spent a couple of hours sitting on a parked plane, on the runway. Their particular plane was deemed ''Out of Action' and a new one was prepared for them!
They didn't get to the hotel until gone midnight.....I was going to leave a message on all of their mobiles with me singing 'What goes up"......
Friday 23rd August 2013
I was up 08:00am, cleaned up and went for breakfast..... H was there. He'd just found out he left his credit card at a garage late last night. He was buying food for everyone and forgot to get it out of the machine.
Andreas kindly agreed to drive him an hour back to the garage to try pick it up, without avail.
I decided to go to the gig with Robin, Tim and Andreas (back from his sojourn with H) so I could sort my drums out. The others arrived for our sound check, afterwards we all drove back to the hotel to clean up (H was the 'Butt' of jokes about his credit card).
Had another great gig to a crowd of between 6,000 to 8,000 people. Another fantastic response.
After the gig I was back at the hotel and in bed by 11:30pm.....
Saturday 24th August 2013
I got up when my alarm went off at 06:30am. Cleaned up and packed before breakfast. I checked out of the hotel and drove to the airport for us to fly to Austria.
We landed in Salzburg. We were met by one of the promoters and drove to Linz (for the Krone Stadt Festival)..... We relaxed in our 'day' rooms before another fantastic open air 'gig' to 20,000 people.
We then drove to the airport and checked in the hotel there (as we had an early flight the next morning).
Sunday 25th August 2013
Got up when my alarm went off 06:00am. Cleaned up and packed. We all had breakfast together before driving to Munich Airport to fly to Heathrow.
H (minus credit cards) Mal and myself drove to Upton (for the Upton Festival) with Abbie.
We all relaxed in a pub while Abbie checked the gig out before our sound
check....
It was a fantastic last show to 6,000 people. They were warmed up by The Troggs and Chesney Hawkes, before we played.
Afterwards, Mal and myself were driven to stay at a hotel in Birmingham Airport as I had an early flight out and,Mal was going by train back to Liverpool. We had a few drinks in the bar before I went to bed 12:45am....
A FANTASTIC WEEKEND.
Monday 26th August 2013
Got up when my alarm went off 03:30am.
Cleaned up and packed made my way to the terminal (a two minute walk).
Checked in and flew home only 8 people on the plane!...
.
Friday 13th September 2013 Whoa............!
Got up when my alarm went off 05:00am.
Cleaned up and packed the car to drive to Billund Airport. I checked in for my flight to Brussels via Copenhagen, not much time between flights for me.......But luckily I can still run. I made my connection, NO PROBLEM.
When I arrived in Brussels, I was met by the promoter and we drove about 2 hours to, LIER. I checked into the hotel and unpacked.
H arrived from Birmingham not long after. It was our good friend for so many years who had driven H.... His name is John-Louis (a merchant banker, and big Slade fan for many years)...
H and myself had a stroll round Lier, stopping for tea & cake. We relaxed in the hotel before John-Louis, his wife Brigit and daughter Alexandre arrived. Also, Phillipe D’Hoeraene (who used to run the SLADE fan-club in Belgium) and his girlfriend Miriam also joined us.
During the meal, they had a huge cream cake brought out to me. They all sang a belated ‘Happy Birthday’ to me..... The cake didn’t last long.
H and myself were dropped back at the hotel. I was in bed by 11:30pm.
Saturday 14th September 2013
I was up at 08:30am, made tea in my room before cleaning up.
I went for breakfast H after he came back from his morning walk. (I’m sure he only sits on a bench close to the hotel for an hour...).
The others arrived from the UK. They had driven over. H and myself went to the same cafe as the day before for coffee and cake. (Do you think Lemmy does this ?)
Steve Mann, an English guitarist who lives in Germany arrived at the hotel. Apparently, Tony O’Hora’s (Sweet guitarist and key-boards) wife is very ill with cancer - so he was by her bedside in England.
I went to the gig early with John-Louis and Phillipe so I could sort my drums out.
We had a, fantastic show in a large marquee to 3,000 people. (It was pouring with rain the whole time. Dry inside the marquee, but a mud-bath outside).
John-Louis drove myself and H back to the hotel. I was in bed by 11:00am.
Sunday 15th September 2013
I was awake for 05:00am. I made tea and relaxed before cleaning up.
I packed and went for breakfast. Steve Mann and myself were to be driven to Brussels together. Our car didn’t show so we ordered a taxi (at the Promoter's expense, 80 euros).
Now, we had a Belgian cab driver who didn’t know his way around Belgium. Also didn’t know how to work his Sat-Nav..... It was like being driven by Inspector Clouseau.
Steve just about made his train when we got to the airport. There was no way I would’ve made my flight if it wasn’t for some patrolling security who recognised me and who heeded to my plight and took me through the ‘channels’ that
are normally only used by Royalty and MP’s and Paul McCartney (Ha).... Anyway, I made my flight and connections.... I wonder if that, taxi-driver got paid.
A funny end to another great weekend......
OTHER FUNNY THINGS ALSO HAPPENED THAT DAY...
There were problems with H’s flight. Instead of his reserved 1:00pm flight, he had to wait until 8:00 that night (perhaps Ronaldo had his seat)....
Mal was going home by train. There were no direct trains and he had go on a route via many towns (Tokyo was one I think)....
Friday 27th September 2013
Up at 06:00am... I went to the fitness-centre for an hour before taking Rocky for his morning walk.
I packed my case and drove to Billund Airport to fly to Haugesund in Norway (via Copenhagen) As always, not much time between flights... (my long distance running has kept me in good stead).
Mal and H were also travelling via Copenhagen, so I met them at the gate. Mal had come in from Finland and H from Birmingham.
It was an hour's flight to Haugesund. We were met by the local promoter and drove for 10 minutes to our hotel (I could have walked there quicker).
H, Mal and myself eat together in the hotel restaurant. Jostein, an old friend from Norway, was also there....
I was having tea when all the others arrived from England. I had a drink with them before going to bed at 10:30pm.....
Saturday 28th September 2013
I was up at 07:45am. I cleaned up and met everyone in thebreakfast room.
I relaxed before going to the gig with Robin and Mark (from Mud, Tim is with The Hollies this weekend).
We set all the equipment up before the others arrived to do the soundcheck.
Before the gig we all ate together. We played to about 2,000 people. GOOD GIG....... Great crowd. H, Mal and myself came back to the hotel together and drank tea. I was in bed by 00:30pm
Sunday 29th September 2013
I was up at 07:00am. I packed before going for breakfast. Robin was already there, H joined us. Abbie, Mal, John, Robin and Mark left to fly back to the UK.....
I relaxed before lunch with Mal and H (we always seem to be eating)... They left to fly back to the UK. I left to fly back to Denmark.
Tuesday 1st October 2013
I was awake 05:45am. I cleaned up and packed. I threw cold water on Andreas (my step-son) to get him out of bed.
We drove to Aarhus Airport and checked in for our flight to Stansted.
We checked in the Radisson Hotel at Stansted and had lunch there, before we caught the Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale.
We spent the day in the music shops in the West-End (they love us)...
I bumped into, John Richardson (original drummer with The Rubettes) in Oxford St. He was banging bells and singing Hare Krishna songs (as he is one). I had a little dance with him in the street.
We came back to our hotel at Stansted Airport and was in bed by 8:45pm.
Wednesday 2nd October 2013
I was awake 06:45. I cleaned up and went for breakfast.
I spoke to Paul Marshall (Natal Drums) and Tina Clarke (Zildjian Cymbals) and agreed that I would see them both on Thursday.
I had to re-arrange all the Thursday ‘pickups’ with Dave Kemp, who was driving me.
I spent the day in the West-End shopping...
Me and Andreas decided to stay there and watch RUSH, the film about James Hunt and Niki Lauder.... It was a good film. It showed things I didn’t know about James Hunt. Slade's ‘Mama We’re All Crazee Now’ is featured in the movie (it sounded pretty good too). James Hunt was a big Slade fan and in the ‘70’s. He came to our show at The Rainbow in London.
We got the train back to Stansted and I was in bed by 10:00pm.
Thursday 3rd October 2013
I was awake at 05:45am.
I cleaned up and packed and went for breakfast. Andreas followed me.
We paid our bill and checked out. We waited for Dave Kemp arrive to pick us up to drive to Wandsworth to the Zildjian Cymbal factory (for first time). We were met by Tina Clarke who showed us around and proceeded to give me lots of the best cymbals in the World. I told her that I only use a few. She wouldn’t have it, and made me take about £2000 worth (it was like Christmas day).
We then left to travel to Marshall’s, but we got stuck in traffic. As I had interviews arranged in Wolverhampton, we had to give Marshalls a miss and carry on to the Midlands.
Got up 05:00am before my alarm went off.
Packed the car and drove to Billund Airport. Checked in all the way to Joensuu via Copenhagen and Helsinki.
I let Abbie know that all was fine while I was relaxing in the lounge at Billund. I flew to Copenhagen and relaxed in the lounge there before flying on to Helsinki. I eventually met the others - they were late arriving from the UK.
They checked in to Joensuu and only just made the plane! When we got to Joensuu their suitcases didn’t arrive, nor the equipment boxes, guitars and personal suitcases...
I was renting socks and ‘pants’ to them......
We all checked in the hotel and decided to eat there...... Relaxed that evening and was in bed by 11:15pm.
Friday 12th July 2013
Got up when my alarm went off at 9.00am
Cleaned up and went for tea.... too late for breakfast.
I walked to the gig and set my drums up before the others arrived for the sound check.... No problems.
Came back to the hotel to be invited to lunch by the Lady Mayoress and her entourage. Very nice too......
Afterwards, I relaxed in my room watching TV. I saw about all flights in and out of Heathrow were suspended, because of a fire on a plane..... ( I could see a ‘windup’ to the others coming on....)
We had a great open air gig to 4,000 people in the town square..... except my monitors went off in the first song. Tim worked fantastically and got them back on during our 5th song.
Had a drink back at the hotel after the show before going to bed at 01:00am.
Saturday 13th July 2013
I got up at 06:00am before my alarm was due to go off 07:00am.
I cleaned up and packed and went for breakfast.
We drove to Joensuu Airport, to fly home via Helsinki and Riga.....
I left the others in Helsinki Airport for their flight back to UK.
I relaxed in the lounge before my flight to Riga (more tea in the lounge there). I then flew home to Billund.
I was reading an old newspaper (May 23rd’s Times) in the lounge. It detailed how Trevor Boulder (bass player from the Spiders from Mars, later, Uriah Heep) lost his life against cancer on 21st May - aged 62....
I only met him a few times, but what a very nice, unassuming bloke he was. RIP Trevor.
Sunday 14th July 2013
I have just heard that our mate, Gareth Jones, has recorded a version of Wonderin' Y. I wrote the lyrics to that song. It's a really nice version.
https://soundcloud.com/garethjones-tv/wonderin-y-testmix1
Thursday 18th July 2013
I was awake 07:30am, got up and took Rocky for a walk before I cleaned up and packed. Caught the bus to Billund Airport.
Checked in to fly to Berlin Via Copenhagen. Flew to Copenhagen and relaxed in the lounge before flying to Berlin. Both flights were smooth as the weather was wonderful.
Suzanne (our driver in Germany) was there to meet me. We relaxed, drinking tea for an hour waiting for H to arrive from Birmingham.
When he arrived, we loaded the mini-bus up and drove for about an hour to our hotel in Luckenwalde..... I was in bed by 12:30am.
Friday 19th July 2013
I was awake 09:15..... Cleaned up and went for tea. Relaxed all day at the hotel until the others arrived from the UK.
I went to the gig with Robin and Mark (from Mud - helping out as Tim was away). I couldn’t do anything as the festival was about to start.... Came back to the hotel for a while............. The fesitival was DORF-UND BIKERFEST, other bands on the bill were: 20Jahre, Motorblast, Mondodos Del Cielo, Nees High and Aces High.
We had a fantastic show and played to over 5,000 people.
Drove back to the hotel, and everything was closed. I was in bed by 02:15am.
Saturday 20th July 2013
Woke when my alarm went off 06:00am...... I cleaned up and packed and went for breakfast.
Suzanne drove myself and H to fly back to Birmingham and Mal to fly back to Finland with his girlfriend.
I (as usual) relaxed in the lounges in Berlin and Copenhagen on my way to my final destination, Billund.
Another great weekend...................
Friday 26th July 2013
I woke at 06:00 cleaned up and packed the car to drive to Billund Airport. Checked in all the way to Vienna. I let Abbie know while I was relaxing in the lounge.. It was very foggy morning at Billund Airport.
Flew to Frankfurt and had a 3 hour wait..... I had to get the shuttle from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 so I could go to the lounge - there’s only so much tea you can drink.
When I got to Vienna, Peter from the promoter's office met me. We had about an hours drive to Wiener Neustadt where we were staying and playing. I checked in to ‘The Orange Wings Hotel’ ( NO AIR CONDITIONING). It was a sweltering 35 degrees. I unpacked and relaxed.... Mal arrived just after me from Finland, where he’d been staying with his girlfriend.
I was in bed by 8:00 pm. Could not sleep because of the heat. I heard H arrive and heard him complaining....
Saturday 27th July 2013
Got up 07:00pm when my alarm went off.
I cleaned up and went for breakfast with Abbie and Suzanne (our German driver). I was told H had already changed hotels!
I had breakfast with John Richards (The Rubettes’ drummer).... Everyone else came down to eat one by one.
I walked to the gig to sort my drums out before everyone else arrived. It was a sweltering 35 degrees all day.
We had a fantastic show to 5,000 people. Also on the bill were The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Chris Andrews and Middle Of The Road.
After the gig both Mal and myself also changed hotels to an airport hotel with air conditioning! We drove there with Sweet after their show. We checked in and we all had a drink together before I went to bed at 01:15am
Sunday 28th July 2013
I was awake at 08:30 am made tea in my beautiful air conditioned room and cleaned up.
I went downstairs, breakfast was still on at 11:00 (as it was an airport hotel). Abbie, Suzanne, Mark (from the Mud crew - helping us again) Bruce Bisland (Sweet) drummer, Adam (Sweet) roadie were all there.
I said cheerio to Andy Scott before walking to the terminal with Bruce and Adam. They went their way and I went to the lounge. MORE TEA! Flight delayed 20 mins, meaning I had to race when I landed in Frankfurt to my gate for my flight to Billund.. When I got to Billund at 23:40 pm, my suitcase hadn’t... I spent the next 30 mins (along with six other people doing the same) filling out forms for baggage control & claim.
WATCH THIS SPACE...................
Monday 29th July 2013
I've just heard from Billund Airport. They have my suitcase. I'll collect it tomorrow.
Thursday 1st August 2013
I was up 07:30. All the family cleaned up and we packed the car.
We drove 1 hr to the border at Grenaa...... Hanne, Myself, Anne-Kirstine, Andreas and Marie. We boarded the ferry and spent four hours at sea sailing to Varberg in Sweden.
Our hotel was also in that town, so no driving.... It was a beautiful hotel, so all the kids were happy.
Our good friend Thomas Helmeg met ‘H’ at the airport in Stockholm and drove him to the hotel.
We all had dinner together at the hotel, before going to bed at 12:00 midnight........ Terry, Martin and Mike from Smokie arrived. We had a chat with them before going to our room.
Friday 2nd August 2013
I stayed in bed until 10:00 am.
There was a message from Abbie to say that John Berry, Robin, Tim and herself were relaxing in the lounge at Heathrow Airport.
I cleaned up and walked to the town square (where the gig was) and set my drums up. Jimmy Larson’s company from Denmark were supplying the ‘backline’ as they’d done on many occasions. Toot Carman, an English guy, living and working for Jimmy in Denmark was in charge of my drums. A well together guy, who used to work for our old mates Quo.
We opened the show for Sweet and Smokie to 3000 people. A great gig. I met a guy from Gothenburg who knew Chas Chandler and his first wife Lotte at the gig.......
I walked back to the hotel after our show and was in bed by 9:30pm (heavy-metal).
Saturday 3rd August 2013
Got up when the alarm went off at 08:00am. I cleaned up, packed and went for breakfast.
Checked out the hotel and drove a few hours to Malmo.
We only had a day room at the hotel as we would drive home after our ‘spot’
We opened the show again for Sweet and Smokie to 5000 people, another great gig.
After the gig, we packed the car and drove home to Denmark via the bridge from Sweden to Denmark.
I was home in, Demark and in bed by 02:00am
A great weekend with our great mates Sweet and Smokie...
DON'S INFO SHEET FOR THE KULDIGA GIG IN LATVIA
16.08.2013.
9.00 Arnis pick up Mr. Powell art Airport
Arnis will hold sign with Mr. Powell name
9.30 Arnis and Mr. Powell leave to Kuldiga by Arnis Car
12.00 Arnis and Mr. Powell arrive to Kuldiga- Hotel Metropole
17.30 Valeria Pick up band in Airport
Valeria will hold sign with Slade name
17.45 Valeria with Slade leave to Kuldiga by Bus
20.30 Valeria with Slade arrive to Kuldiga hotel Metropole
17.08.2013.
12.15 Lunch at hotel Metropole
13.00 Arnis Pick up Tech guys at Metropole
13.05 Arnis with Tech guys leave to Venue
Arnis Car/Bus!
13.15 Tech guys at venue
(Stage ready for Slade)
14.00 Bus pick up Slade for Souncheck at Metropole
TBC
14.30 Slade Soundcheck
15.30 End of Soundcheck
15.40 Bus pick up Slade at venue
16.00 Bus at Hotel Metropole
18.30 Dinner at hotel Metropole
21.00 Bus pick up Slade at hotel Metropole
21.05 Bus leave hotel Metropole
21.15 Bus arrive to venue
21.30 Changeover
22.00 Slade on stage
23.30 Cuerf
23.50 Bus leave venue to hotel Metropole
24.00 Bus arrive to Hotel Metropole
18.08.2013.
08:00 Bus pick up Slade at hotel Metropole
10:00 Bus arrive to airport
12.00 Departure
DY1073 Depart Riga 12:00 arrives Oslo 12:35
12.15 Arnis pick up Mr.Powell at hotel Metropole
12.20 Arnis and Mr.Powell leave hotel by Arnis Car
12.30 Venue check by Arnis
13.00 Arnis and Mr.Powell leave Kuldiga by Arnis Car
15.30 Arnis and Mr.Powell arrive to Riga
15.30 Kind of excursion of city just spend the time
18.00 Leave Riga to Airport
19.30 Arrive to Airport
22.40 Departure
Flight No.: BT145
Friday 16th August 2013
I got up 02:00am when my alarm went off, cleaned up and packed the car to drive to Billund Airport. I checked in for my flight to Riga, Latvia.
I text Abbie to let her know everything was OK at 03:15am.... My text was also her wake-up call!
I relaxed in the lounge before a two and a half hour flight to Riga. We actually landed 45 mins ahead of schedule!
Arnis was there to meet me in a rental car. He had to change cars as he was having problems. We had a really nice 3 hr drive to Kuldiga stopping for a ‘heavy-metal’ lunch of tea & cake.....
Checked into a really nice hotel and unpacked. I text Abbie to let her know before having a nice stroll round town....
I left message’s for everyone to say I was going to bed at 18:00pm..... At 17:45am Abbie sent a text to say they’d all just landed.
Saturday 17th August 2013
I stayed in bed until 09:30am. I cleaned up and went downstairs and breakfast was still on....
Abbie, H and myself had a long chat about the upcoming UK tour and other things.
I went to the gig with the ‘crew’ for the sound check. It was a great open air venue. After sorting the equipment out, we all drove back to the hotel to eat together...
I relaxed in my room watching Bonanza on tv with Latvian voice overdubs!
I left for the gig. It was a great show to 3,000 people. Security would let people stand up and ‘rave’ BUT they weren't allowed move from by their seats! We soon changed that, much to the disdain of the security guards!
The Lady Mayor was at the gig and we all had photos taken with her... We went back to the hotel for a late ‘pot’ of tea. I was in bed by 01:30am.
Sunday 18th August 2013
I was awake at 08:00am. I cleaned up and packed far too early. The others had already left at 08:00....
I had breakfast with Arnis, before driving back to Riga airport,..... He wanted to go home. This meant I had a 9 hr wait at the airport before my flight to Denmark!
‘Copious’ amounts of tea, cakes and chocolate were consumed before I left... (I could have almost flown to LA the time I was at the airport.....)
Thursday 22nd August 2013
I was awake 07:00am spent a few hours in the fitness-centre.
I went home to pack my case and the car to drive 3hrs to Schleswig for the Baltic Open Air concert.
Andreas (my step-son) and Marianne our good friend from Copenhagen, travelled with me. We checked in our hotel at the same time as Mal McNulty who had just arrived from Manchester..
I relaxed in our room and found out the rest of the guys were having a hard time at Heathrow.... Apparently, when they were racing down the runway for take off the pilot aborted, and they then spent a couple of hours sitting on a parked plane, on the runway. Their particular plane was deemed ''Out of Action' and a new one was prepared for them!
They didn't get to the hotel until gone midnight.....I was going to leave a message on all of their mobiles with me singing 'What goes up"......
Friday 23rd August 2013
I was up 08:00am, cleaned up and went for breakfast..... H was there. He'd just found out he left his credit card at a garage late last night. He was buying food for everyone and forgot to get it out of the machine.
Andreas kindly agreed to drive him an hour back to the garage to try pick it up, without avail.
I decided to go to the gig with Robin, Tim and Andreas (back from his sojourn with H) so I could sort my drums out. The others arrived for our sound check, afterwards we all drove back to the hotel to clean up (H was the 'Butt' of jokes about his credit card).
Had another great gig to a crowd of between 6,000 to 8,000 people. Another fantastic response.
After the gig I was back at the hotel and in bed by 11:30pm.....
Saturday 24th August 2013
I got up when my alarm went off at 06:30am. Cleaned up and packed before breakfast. I checked out of the hotel and drove to the airport for us to fly to Austria.
We landed in Salzburg. We were met by one of the promoters and drove to Linz (for the Krone Stadt Festival)..... We relaxed in our 'day' rooms before another fantastic open air 'gig' to 20,000 people.
We then drove to the airport and checked in the hotel there (as we had an early flight the next morning).
Sunday 25th August 2013
Got up when my alarm went off 06:00am. Cleaned up and packed. We all had breakfast together before driving to Munich Airport to fly to Heathrow.
H (minus credit cards) Mal and myself drove to Upton (for the Upton Festival) with Abbie.
We all relaxed in a pub while Abbie checked the gig out before our sound
check....
It was a fantastic last show to 6,000 people. They were warmed up by The Troggs and Chesney Hawkes, before we played.
Afterwards, Mal and myself were driven to stay at a hotel in Birmingham Airport as I had an early flight out and,Mal was going by train back to Liverpool. We had a few drinks in the bar before I went to bed 12:45am....
A FANTASTIC WEEKEND.
Monday 26th August 2013
Got up when my alarm went off 03:30am.
Cleaned up and packed made my way to the terminal (a two minute walk).
Checked in and flew home only 8 people on the plane!...
.
Friday 13th September 2013 Whoa............!
Got up when my alarm went off 05:00am.
Cleaned up and packed the car to drive to Billund Airport. I checked in for my flight to Brussels via Copenhagen, not much time between flights for me.......But luckily I can still run. I made my connection, NO PROBLEM.
When I arrived in Brussels, I was met by the promoter and we drove about 2 hours to, LIER. I checked into the hotel and unpacked.
H arrived from Birmingham not long after. It was our good friend for so many years who had driven H.... His name is John-Louis (a merchant banker, and big Slade fan for many years)...
H and myself had a stroll round Lier, stopping for tea & cake. We relaxed in the hotel before John-Louis, his wife Brigit and daughter Alexandre arrived. Also, Phillipe D’Hoeraene (who used to run the SLADE fan-club in Belgium) and his girlfriend Miriam also joined us.
During the meal, they had a huge cream cake brought out to me. They all sang a belated ‘Happy Birthday’ to me..... The cake didn’t last long.
H and myself were dropped back at the hotel. I was in bed by 11:30pm.
Saturday 14th September 2013
I was up at 08:30am, made tea in my room before cleaning up.
I went for breakfast H after he came back from his morning walk. (I’m sure he only sits on a bench close to the hotel for an hour...).
The others arrived from the UK. They had driven over. H and myself went to the same cafe as the day before for coffee and cake. (Do you think Lemmy does this ?)
Steve Mann, an English guitarist who lives in Germany arrived at the hotel. Apparently, Tony O’Hora’s (Sweet guitarist and key-boards) wife is very ill with cancer - so he was by her bedside in England.
I went to the gig early with John-Louis and Phillipe so I could sort my drums out.
We had a, fantastic show in a large marquee to 3,000 people. (It was pouring with rain the whole time. Dry inside the marquee, but a mud-bath outside).
John-Louis drove myself and H back to the hotel. I was in bed by 11:00am.
Sunday 15th September 2013
I was awake for 05:00am. I made tea and relaxed before cleaning up.
I packed and went for breakfast. Steve Mann and myself were to be driven to Brussels together. Our car didn’t show so we ordered a taxi (at the Promoter's expense, 80 euros).
Now, we had a Belgian cab driver who didn’t know his way around Belgium. Also didn’t know how to work his Sat-Nav..... It was like being driven by Inspector Clouseau.
Steve just about made his train when we got to the airport. There was no way I would’ve made my flight if it wasn’t for some patrolling security who recognised me and who heeded to my plight and took me through the ‘channels’ that
are normally only used by Royalty and MP’s and Paul McCartney (Ha).... Anyway, I made my flight and connections.... I wonder if that, taxi-driver got paid.
A funny end to another great weekend......
OTHER FUNNY THINGS ALSO HAPPENED THAT DAY...
There were problems with H’s flight. Instead of his reserved 1:00pm flight, he had to wait until 8:00 that night (perhaps Ronaldo had his seat)....
Mal was going home by train. There were no direct trains and he had go on a route via many towns (Tokyo was one I think)....
Friday 27th September 2013
Up at 06:00am... I went to the fitness-centre for an hour before taking Rocky for his morning walk.
I packed my case and drove to Billund Airport to fly to Haugesund in Norway (via Copenhagen) As always, not much time between flights... (my long distance running has kept me in good stead).
Mal and H were also travelling via Copenhagen, so I met them at the gate. Mal had come in from Finland and H from Birmingham.
It was an hour's flight to Haugesund. We were met by the local promoter and drove for 10 minutes to our hotel (I could have walked there quicker).
H, Mal and myself eat together in the hotel restaurant. Jostein, an old friend from Norway, was also there....
I was having tea when all the others arrived from England. I had a drink with them before going to bed at 10:30pm.....
Saturday 28th September 2013
I was up at 07:45am. I cleaned up and met everyone in thebreakfast room.
I relaxed before going to the gig with Robin and Mark (from Mud, Tim is with The Hollies this weekend).
We set all the equipment up before the others arrived to do the soundcheck.
Before the gig we all ate together. We played to about 2,000 people. GOOD GIG....... Great crowd. H, Mal and myself came back to the hotel together and drank tea. I was in bed by 00:30pm
Sunday 29th September 2013
I was up at 07:00am. I packed before going for breakfast. Robin was already there, H joined us. Abbie, Mal, John, Robin and Mark left to fly back to the UK.....
I relaxed before lunch with Mal and H (we always seem to be eating)... They left to fly back to the UK. I left to fly back to Denmark.
Tuesday 1st October 2013
I was awake 05:45am. I cleaned up and packed. I threw cold water on Andreas (my step-son) to get him out of bed.
We drove to Aarhus Airport and checked in for our flight to Stansted.
We checked in the Radisson Hotel at Stansted and had lunch there, before we caught the Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale.
We spent the day in the music shops in the West-End (they love us)...
I bumped into, John Richardson (original drummer with The Rubettes) in Oxford St. He was banging bells and singing Hare Krishna songs (as he is one). I had a little dance with him in the street.
We came back to our hotel at Stansted Airport and was in bed by 8:45pm.
Wednesday 2nd October 2013
I was awake 06:45. I cleaned up and went for breakfast.
I spoke to Paul Marshall (Natal Drums) and Tina Clarke (Zildjian Cymbals) and agreed that I would see them both on Thursday.
I had to re-arrange all the Thursday ‘pickups’ with Dave Kemp, who was driving me.
I spent the day in the West-End shopping...
Me and Andreas decided to stay there and watch RUSH, the film about James Hunt and Niki Lauder.... It was a good film. It showed things I didn’t know about James Hunt. Slade's ‘Mama We’re All Crazee Now’ is featured in the movie (it sounded pretty good too). James Hunt was a big Slade fan and in the ‘70’s. He came to our show at The Rainbow in London.
We got the train back to Stansted and I was in bed by 10:00pm.
Thursday 3rd October 2013
I was awake at 05:45am.
I cleaned up and packed and went for breakfast. Andreas followed me.
We paid our bill and checked out. We waited for Dave Kemp arrive to pick us up to drive to Wandsworth to the Zildjian Cymbal factory (for first time). We were met by Tina Clarke who showed us around and proceeded to give me lots of the best cymbals in the World. I told her that I only use a few. She wouldn’t have it, and made me take about £2000 worth (it was like Christmas day).
We then left to travel to Marshall’s, but we got stuck in traffic. As I had interviews arranged in Wolverhampton, we had to give Marshalls a miss and carry on to the Midlands.
However the car journey sent us through SW6 and by chance we passed by the main entrance to Earl's Court. It was good to see the old place again - and I explained to Andreas all about the gig from 1973.
Because of traffic, we had to go straight to the radio station for an interview. (WCR fm).
We checked in to the Connaught Hotel (now called the Quality Hotel - we used to play there Sunday nights when we first got together).
Because of traffic, we had to go straight to the radio station for an interview. (WCR fm).
We checked in to the Connaught Hotel (now called the Quality Hotel - we used to play there Sunday nights when we first got together).
Friday 4th October 2013
I was up at 08:00am. I cleaned up and went for breakfast. We then drove and met Lise Falkenberg and Matt Bourne from Omnibus.
I spent an hour or so signing my biography ‘Look Wot I Dun - My Life In Slade’ at Waterstones Book Store in Wolverhampton.
I was up at 08:00am. I cleaned up and went for breakfast. We then drove and met Lise Falkenberg and Matt Bourne from Omnibus.
I spent an hour or so signing my biography ‘Look Wot I Dun - My Life In Slade’ at Waterstones Book Store in Wolverhampton.
Don, fan Alan Tucker and Don's Sister Carol (Photo: Alan Tucker)
My sister Carol was there with husband Gel. It was lovely to see them.
After a long signing session, and an aching arm, we made our way back to The Connaught for the ‘Tea with Don Powell’ event.
It was fantastic afternoon talking and answering questions for all the people who attended. All the proceeds from the event were going to the National Autistic Society. I was shattered, and was in bed by 10:00pm.
Saturday 5th October 2013
I was up at 07:00am. I cleaned up and packed and went for breakfast.
We checked out of the hotel and went to Waterstones in Walsall to spend a couple of hours there signing more Biographies. Chris Selby drove us to Walsall - and he gave us a Slade history tour on the journey, pointing out venues where Slade had played in the past.
Later in the afternoon, and after a fantastic few days, I went to put flowers on my Mom & Dad's grave....I can’t get there so much these days...
From the cemetary, Dave Kemp & his wife Barbara, drove us to Stansted - stopping off at their house for tea and cake.
After a long signing session, and an aching arm, we made our way back to The Connaught for the ‘Tea with Don Powell’ event.
It was fantastic afternoon talking and answering questions for all the people who attended. All the proceeds from the event were going to the National Autistic Society. I was shattered, and was in bed by 10:00pm.
Saturday 5th October 2013
I was up at 07:00am. I cleaned up and packed and went for breakfast.
We checked out of the hotel and went to Waterstones in Walsall to spend a couple of hours there signing more Biographies. Chris Selby drove us to Walsall - and he gave us a Slade history tour on the journey, pointing out venues where Slade had played in the past.
Later in the afternoon, and after a fantastic few days, I went to put flowers on my Mom & Dad's grave....I can’t get there so much these days...
From the cemetary, Dave Kemp & his wife Barbara, drove us to Stansted - stopping off at their house for tea and cake.
We checked into the Radisson and had dinner there. We were exhausted and were in bed by 10:00pm.
A FANTASTIC FEW DAYS - thank you to everyone who made it possible.
Sunday 6th October 2013
I was up by 02:30 to go and get my flight back to Denmark. Andreas was staying in London to visit friends...
Tuesday 8th October 2013
I was up at 07:30. Relaxed all day, before packing my suitcase and driving to Billund. I was flying to the UK. I landed at Stansted and got the train to St Pancras to meet Andreas.....
We caught the train to Gillingham and checked in to the King Charles Hotel. We had a drink before going to bed at 12:00 midnight.
Wednesday 9th October 2013
I was awake at 09:00am. I cleaned up and we both went for breakfast. Ichecked out and waited for John Berry to pick us up to rehearse at his place. We spent the day rehearsing new singers. We had a good day... Andreas and myself ate with John and his wife Anna.....
We went back to our hotel and booked a hotel in London for tomorrow as we thought we might go to Natal Drums tomorrow.
Thursday 10th October 2013
We were up at 07:00am. I cleaned up, packed, checked out and caught the train to Milton Keynes and spent a few hours with Jason Roper at Natal Drums sorting a out a new kit! We had a great time..... We then got the train to Newcastle Upon Tyne. Kevin from the ‘Buckets’ met us and drove us to our hotel to check in. We met Sue Wilson and Andrew and the rest of the ‘Buckets’ and we all had dinner together..... We were in bed by 11:45pm.
Friday 11th October 2013
Stayed in bed until 10:00am. We cleaned up..... Haden Donovan (old roadie) called for a chat. He’d seen a feature I’d done for ‘The Black Country Bugle’......... We all went for lunch and spent the day in Newcastle shopping. I did a great live radio interview. I came back to the hotel and had dinner together before making our way to the ‘Buckets’ gig. We all had a fantastic evening raising money for the National Autistic Society and I spent most of the evening ‘jamming’ with the ‘Buckets’.
We were back in our hotel and in bed by 01:00am. GREAT DAY!
Earlier, during the day, I arranged flowers to be sent to Harry Goodwin’s funeral from Slade. (Harry used to be the in-house photographer and take photographs at TOTP’s in the 1970’s.
Saturday 12th October 2013
We were up at 07:45, cleaned up, and packed before going for breakfast. Sue Wilson and Dave Hartness who help raise money for the National Autistic Society joined us.
Andreas and myself caught the train to Skegness. We checked into our hotel, unpacked and went by cab to BUTLINS! We met everyone there and did our sound check. H and myself came back to the hotel and relaxed before the show..... It was a GREAT crowd, GREAT show! H, Andreas and myself went back to our hotel, had a drink and was in bed by 12:15am.
Sunday 13th October 2013
We were up at 09:00am. I cleaned up and packed, then went for breakfast. H was there. Andreas missed it......
We left to drive to Gt Yarmouth (Vauxhall Leisure Park) with H... Uneventful drive at 50mph..... We checked into the hotel before going for a sound check. Afterwards we came back to the hotel for dinner... Another great crowd and show... We were back in our hotel and bed by midnight.
Monday 14th October 2013
We were up at 07:00am . I cleaned up and packed. I went for breakfast. H and Andreas joined me. Afterwards we packed and checked out to drive to, Wolverhampton..... H dropped us at The Connaught Hotel. Andreas and myself unpacked and went shopping in Wolverhampton. Got lots of Tee-shirts, socks and pants, CD’s and DVD’s. I called my brother Derek. I invited him and his wife Chris to come and join us for dinner..... Had a lovely evening. I haven’t seen them for ages.
We were in bed by midnight.
Tuesday 15th October 2013
I was awake at 07:00am. I cleaned up and went to town for a walk round and to reminisce. It’s changed so much, but for the good. I came back to the hotel to get Andreas. We caught the train to Birmingham to go to the mega music equipment store, PMT. Ian, one of the assistants really looked after us, and we managed to get some PA equipment for Andreas.
Made our way back to Wolverhampton. We decided to eat in the hotel so we could watch England beat Poland (2-0). I was in bed by 10:00pm,
Wednesday 16th October 2013
We got up at 07:00am. I cleaned up and had breakfast before making our way to the Robin (in Bilston) to rehearse. We had a full day there. We went back to the hotel for dinner and were in bed by 10:00pm.
Thursday 17th October 2013
We were up by 07:00. We cleaned up and packed before breakfast. H’s driver picked us up. We went and collected H... We drove to Heathrow. Checked in and flew to Brussels. Our good friend John-Louise met us and we drove about 2hrs to Dunkirk, stopping at McDonalds on the way...... We checked in our hotel and was in bed by, midnight.
Friday 18th October 2013
I was up at 08:00. I cleaned up and went for breakfast. H was already there. John Overton, who owns NOWHIRE MUSICAL EQUIPMENT HIRE arrived from the UK. (The local promoter couldn’t supply what we needed). I came back to bed for a couple of hours until midday lunchtime....... I cleaned up ready for the show (at La Poudriere, Leffrinkoucke). We had a great show to 4,000 people (and we used the best monitor system I’ve ever used). H and myself and Andreas came back to the hotel with John-Louise. Andreas’s girlfriend came back with Hanne’s foreign exchange student friend, Louvette (from the ‘60’s) and her husband Ivan and two daughters.... We all had a drink together before they left to drive back to Paris.... I was in bed by 01:15am.....
Saturday 19th October 2013
I was up at 08:00. I cleaned up, packed and went for breakfast. The others all left to drive back to England....... The promoter drove, Andreas, Marie and myself to Paris. I was dropped off at Charles de Gaule Airport so I could fly home. Andreas went with Marie to where she was staying in Paris... I flew from Paris to Riga. I had to race like crazy, just managed to get my connection to Billund. I only made it because the pilot was instructed to wait for me!
Thursday 24th October 2013
Got up at 6.30am, cleaned up and got ready to Billund airport. Checked in for the flight to Edinburgh.
Sue Wilson and her husband Andy met me and drove into town and checked into the Hilton. Spent the afternoon doing interviews and tv filming.
Went back to my room to clean up and for all of us to go out for dinner. I spoke to my brother Derek and his wife Chris.
We ate at the Hardrock Cafe. Had a free meal in return for a biography and a set of drumsticks! I came back to the hotel, had tea and was in bed by 10.30pm.
Friday 25th October 2013
Got up at 08.00am - went for breakfast and went shopping with Sue and Suzanne. We were out for a couple of hours.
Went back to the hotel. Robin arrived from home and John's drive took 10 hours!
We went to see a band in a pub - and I got up and jammed. Went back to the hotel and all the concert oprganising team ate together. Andreas flew in from Paris and went to bed early. I went to bed at 11.30pm.
Saturday 26th October 2013
(Day of Charity gig in Edinburgh)
Got up at 8.00am and went for breakfast. John Berry arrived from home. Did promotion with Alan from the Rubettes and Alvin Stardust. Then spent the afternoon doing press and went for the sound check for the gig in Edinburgh.
It was a GREAT gig. Went back to the hotel for a few drinks and was in bed by 13.30am...
Sunday 27th October 2013
Got up at 8.00am - cleaned up and went for breakfast. Everyone was there. We packed and went to the train.
Our train to High Wycombe via Birmingham was good. Went to the toilet and found Mal in another compartment further down the train.
We got to High Wycombe, checked into the hotel and went out to eat.
Relaxed in the room and went to bed. Lou Reed died today - liver disease.
Monday 28 October 2013
I was up at 8.30am and went for breakfast. Andreas was flying home by himself while I stayed on tour in the UK - and he got up and got ready to fly to Denmark. I did some shopping.
I bought Graham Nash's "Wild Tales - A Rock 'n' Roll Life" book. I relaxed in the hotel bar / cafe. Went to my room. Andreas let me know he had landed in Billund - I carried on reading Graham Nash's book.
Tuesday 29 October 2013
(Day of tour opener - at the Swan Theatre, High Wycombe)
Woke at 9.30am. Relaxed with some tea before cleaning up.
Went out for breakfast and came back to the hotel and carried on reading Garham Nash's book. I went to the gig and set up my new Natal kit which was excellent. Did soundcheck.
It was a great gig. Mal and myself came back to the hotel and I was in bed by 10.30pm.
A FANTASTIC FEW DAYS - thank you to everyone who made it possible.
Sunday 6th October 2013
I was up by 02:30 to go and get my flight back to Denmark. Andreas was staying in London to visit friends...
Tuesday 8th October 2013
I was up at 07:30. Relaxed all day, before packing my suitcase and driving to Billund. I was flying to the UK. I landed at Stansted and got the train to St Pancras to meet Andreas.....
We caught the train to Gillingham and checked in to the King Charles Hotel. We had a drink before going to bed at 12:00 midnight.
Wednesday 9th October 2013
I was awake at 09:00am. I cleaned up and we both went for breakfast. Ichecked out and waited for John Berry to pick us up to rehearse at his place. We spent the day rehearsing new singers. We had a good day... Andreas and myself ate with John and his wife Anna.....
We went back to our hotel and booked a hotel in London for tomorrow as we thought we might go to Natal Drums tomorrow.
Thursday 10th October 2013
We were up at 07:00am. I cleaned up, packed, checked out and caught the train to Milton Keynes and spent a few hours with Jason Roper at Natal Drums sorting a out a new kit! We had a great time..... We then got the train to Newcastle Upon Tyne. Kevin from the ‘Buckets’ met us and drove us to our hotel to check in. We met Sue Wilson and Andrew and the rest of the ‘Buckets’ and we all had dinner together..... We were in bed by 11:45pm.
Friday 11th October 2013
Stayed in bed until 10:00am. We cleaned up..... Haden Donovan (old roadie) called for a chat. He’d seen a feature I’d done for ‘The Black Country Bugle’......... We all went for lunch and spent the day in Newcastle shopping. I did a great live radio interview. I came back to the hotel and had dinner together before making our way to the ‘Buckets’ gig. We all had a fantastic evening raising money for the National Autistic Society and I spent most of the evening ‘jamming’ with the ‘Buckets’.
We were back in our hotel and in bed by 01:00am. GREAT DAY!
Earlier, during the day, I arranged flowers to be sent to Harry Goodwin’s funeral from Slade. (Harry used to be the in-house photographer and take photographs at TOTP’s in the 1970’s.
Saturday 12th October 2013
We were up at 07:45, cleaned up, and packed before going for breakfast. Sue Wilson and Dave Hartness who help raise money for the National Autistic Society joined us.
Andreas and myself caught the train to Skegness. We checked into our hotel, unpacked and went by cab to BUTLINS! We met everyone there and did our sound check. H and myself came back to the hotel and relaxed before the show..... It was a GREAT crowd, GREAT show! H, Andreas and myself went back to our hotel, had a drink and was in bed by 12:15am.
Sunday 13th October 2013
We were up at 09:00am. I cleaned up and packed, then went for breakfast. H was there. Andreas missed it......
We left to drive to Gt Yarmouth (Vauxhall Leisure Park) with H... Uneventful drive at 50mph..... We checked into the hotel before going for a sound check. Afterwards we came back to the hotel for dinner... Another great crowd and show... We were back in our hotel and bed by midnight.
Monday 14th October 2013
We were up at 07:00am . I cleaned up and packed. I went for breakfast. H and Andreas joined me. Afterwards we packed and checked out to drive to, Wolverhampton..... H dropped us at The Connaught Hotel. Andreas and myself unpacked and went shopping in Wolverhampton. Got lots of Tee-shirts, socks and pants, CD’s and DVD’s. I called my brother Derek. I invited him and his wife Chris to come and join us for dinner..... Had a lovely evening. I haven’t seen them for ages.
We were in bed by midnight.
Tuesday 15th October 2013
I was awake at 07:00am. I cleaned up and went to town for a walk round and to reminisce. It’s changed so much, but for the good. I came back to the hotel to get Andreas. We caught the train to Birmingham to go to the mega music equipment store, PMT. Ian, one of the assistants really looked after us, and we managed to get some PA equipment for Andreas.
Made our way back to Wolverhampton. We decided to eat in the hotel so we could watch England beat Poland (2-0). I was in bed by 10:00pm,
Wednesday 16th October 2013
We got up at 07:00am. I cleaned up and had breakfast before making our way to the Robin (in Bilston) to rehearse. We had a full day there. We went back to the hotel for dinner and were in bed by 10:00pm.
Thursday 17th October 2013
We were up by 07:00. We cleaned up and packed before breakfast. H’s driver picked us up. We went and collected H... We drove to Heathrow. Checked in and flew to Brussels. Our good friend John-Louise met us and we drove about 2hrs to Dunkirk, stopping at McDonalds on the way...... We checked in our hotel and was in bed by, midnight.
Friday 18th October 2013
I was up at 08:00. I cleaned up and went for breakfast. H was already there. John Overton, who owns NOWHIRE MUSICAL EQUIPMENT HIRE arrived from the UK. (The local promoter couldn’t supply what we needed). I came back to bed for a couple of hours until midday lunchtime....... I cleaned up ready for the show (at La Poudriere, Leffrinkoucke). We had a great show to 4,000 people (and we used the best monitor system I’ve ever used). H and myself and Andreas came back to the hotel with John-Louise. Andreas’s girlfriend came back with Hanne’s foreign exchange student friend, Louvette (from the ‘60’s) and her husband Ivan and two daughters.... We all had a drink together before they left to drive back to Paris.... I was in bed by 01:15am.....
Saturday 19th October 2013
I was up at 08:00. I cleaned up, packed and went for breakfast. The others all left to drive back to England....... The promoter drove, Andreas, Marie and myself to Paris. I was dropped off at Charles de Gaule Airport so I could fly home. Andreas went with Marie to where she was staying in Paris... I flew from Paris to Riga. I had to race like crazy, just managed to get my connection to Billund. I only made it because the pilot was instructed to wait for me!
Thursday 24th October 2013
Got up at 6.30am, cleaned up and got ready to Billund airport. Checked in for the flight to Edinburgh.
Sue Wilson and her husband Andy met me and drove into town and checked into the Hilton. Spent the afternoon doing interviews and tv filming.
Went back to my room to clean up and for all of us to go out for dinner. I spoke to my brother Derek and his wife Chris.
We ate at the Hardrock Cafe. Had a free meal in return for a biography and a set of drumsticks! I came back to the hotel, had tea and was in bed by 10.30pm.
Friday 25th October 2013
Got up at 08.00am - went for breakfast and went shopping with Sue and Suzanne. We were out for a couple of hours.
Went back to the hotel. Robin arrived from home and John's drive took 10 hours!
We went to see a band in a pub - and I got up and jammed. Went back to the hotel and all the concert oprganising team ate together. Andreas flew in from Paris and went to bed early. I went to bed at 11.30pm.
Saturday 26th October 2013
(Day of Charity gig in Edinburgh)
Got up at 8.00am and went for breakfast. John Berry arrived from home. Did promotion with Alan from the Rubettes and Alvin Stardust. Then spent the afternoon doing press and went for the sound check for the gig in Edinburgh.
It was a GREAT gig. Went back to the hotel for a few drinks and was in bed by 13.30am...
Sunday 27th October 2013
Got up at 8.00am - cleaned up and went for breakfast. Everyone was there. We packed and went to the train.
Our train to High Wycombe via Birmingham was good. Went to the toilet and found Mal in another compartment further down the train.
We got to High Wycombe, checked into the hotel and went out to eat.
Relaxed in the room and went to bed. Lou Reed died today - liver disease.
Monday 28 October 2013
I was up at 8.30am and went for breakfast. Andreas was flying home by himself while I stayed on tour in the UK - and he got up and got ready to fly to Denmark. I did some shopping.
I bought Graham Nash's "Wild Tales - A Rock 'n' Roll Life" book. I relaxed in the hotel bar / cafe. Went to my room. Andreas let me know he had landed in Billund - I carried on reading Graham Nash's book.
Tuesday 29 October 2013
(Day of tour opener - at the Swan Theatre, High Wycombe)
Woke at 9.30am. Relaxed with some tea before cleaning up.
Went out for breakfast and came back to the hotel and carried on reading Garham Nash's book. I went to the gig and set up my new Natal kit which was excellent. Did soundcheck.
It was a great gig. Mal and myself came back to the hotel and I was in bed by 10.30pm.
Wednesday 30 October 2013
I got up when my alarm went off at 8.00am. I cleaned and packed and called my brother Derek to wish him a happy birthday. He was in bed! I spoke to his wife Chris. I packed to check out and went to meet H who was staying at a different hotel.
H's driver met us and drove us to Wolverhampton. I checked in to the Britannia Hotel.
I then made my way to PMT in Birmingham by train. I sorted out getting a keyboard for Andreas (who plays in a band) and drum spares for me. Went to bed at 8.45pm.
Thursday 31 October 2013
I was awake at 5.30am. Cleaned up and went to see if my supposed "executive" room was ready! It wasn't ready until after lunch - so I went to PMT in Birmigham for more equipment.
I travelled back to Wolverhampton to Mick Brookes' shop. (Mick runs a guitar shop and had previously toured with Jimi Hendrix). He was in and we had a good chat and catch-up.
I walked around town. My glasses were broken and I needed to get them fixed. I carried on reading Graham Nash's book.
Friday 1 November 2013
(Day of Warwick Arts Centre gig in Coventry)
I was awake at 8.30am and made tea and finished the Graham Nash book before cleaning up. I went to get some newspapers.
Abbie reminded me that I had an interview at midday in my room for Rythm magazine.
I relaxed before pick up for Coventry. We had a great show - and drove back to Wolves with H and Mal. Had tea and retired to my room.
I got up when my alarm went off at 8.00am. I cleaned and packed and called my brother Derek to wish him a happy birthday. He was in bed! I spoke to his wife Chris. I packed to check out and went to meet H who was staying at a different hotel.
H's driver met us and drove us to Wolverhampton. I checked in to the Britannia Hotel.
I then made my way to PMT in Birmingham by train. I sorted out getting a keyboard for Andreas (who plays in a band) and drum spares for me. Went to bed at 8.45pm.
Thursday 31 October 2013
I was awake at 5.30am. Cleaned up and went to see if my supposed "executive" room was ready! It wasn't ready until after lunch - so I went to PMT in Birmigham for more equipment.
I travelled back to Wolverhampton to Mick Brookes' shop. (Mick runs a guitar shop and had previously toured with Jimi Hendrix). He was in and we had a good chat and catch-up.
I walked around town. My glasses were broken and I needed to get them fixed. I carried on reading Graham Nash's book.
Friday 1 November 2013
(Day of Warwick Arts Centre gig in Coventry)
I was awake at 8.30am and made tea and finished the Graham Nash book before cleaning up. I went to get some newspapers.
Abbie reminded me that I had an interview at midday in my room for Rythm magazine.
I relaxed before pick up for Coventry. We had a great show - and drove back to Wolves with H and Mal. Had tea and retired to my room.
Interview team - photo Emily Antonia
Saturday 2 November 2013
(Day of Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells gig)
I was awake before my alarm went off at 8.00am. I cleaned and packed before breakfast. Drove to Tunbridge Wells.
Did soundcheck and cleaned up there. Had a great show. H, Mal and myself came back by cab to the hotel.
Sunday 3 November 2013
(Day of Milton Keynes Theatre gig)
Got up when the alarm went off at 7.30. Cleaned up and packed - and went for breakfast. I then caught the train with H and Mal to Milton Keynes - we travelled via London.
We walked about 1/2 mile from Milton Keynes train station to our hotel - had tea and cake before cleaning up.
Found out that there was a huge firework display and funfair taking place that evening next to the gig. Local roads were closed - and this caused some problems with fans getting to the show. It was a great new build venue - I don't think that we have played the venue or Milton Keynes before.
I went back to the hotel and went to bed at 10.45pm.
Monday 4 November 2013
I got up before the alarm went off at 9.00am. I cleaned up and went for breakfast. I packed and checked out and caught the train with H to King's Lynn. (We had a gig in King's Lynn the next day - and were having a day off in King's Lynn).
We found our hotel and H and me went for a walk around town. We had tea and biscuits before dinner. Hanne called - Andreas had caught his flight from Denmark (he was coming to join me to be my drum roadie for the tour during his gap year).
H and I ate together - before I walked to the train station to meet Andreas. I went back to the hotel and was in bed by 11.00pm.
Tuesday 5 November 2013
(Day of Corn Exchange, King's Lynn gig)
I got up at 9.30am before cleaning up. I went to the gig early as I wanted to sort all the gear out with Andreas. I then relaxed before the gig. It was a good one. Was back at the hotel and in bed by 23.00.
Wednesday 6 November 2013
I got up when the alarm went off at 5am and cleaned up and packed to check out and get the train to Stoke on Trent.
Matt Bourne from Omnibus Press met us - and we went to Waterstones for a book signing. Not many people this time - and from there we went to the hotel and checked in. I went shopping while Andreas relaxed.
Thursday 7 November 2013
(Day of Victoria Hall, Stoke on Trent gig)
I was awake early at 9.00am and made tea before cleaning up. I went to the gig after checking out.
The show was good and we drove to Stansted after the show. We checked in to our usual hotel there, The Radisson, for a few hours sleep before an early flight back to Denmark - to spend a few days at home.
Sunday 10 November 2013
(Day of Orchard Theatre, Dartford gig)
I got up and cleaned up and drove to Billund. Andreas and I checked in before flying to Stansted.
Dave Kemp met us at the airport and drove us to the Premier Inn in Brentwood where we would be staying that night. Our rooms weren't ready to check into - so we had lunch in the local pub and watched the Spurs football match on the telly.
Cleaned up and travelled to Dartford. Arrived there at 1.30pm but couldn't get in to venue until 4.30pm as a psychic show was going on! Some fans were waiting outside the venue - signed autographs and did some photos.
Went for a walk around the local shopping arcade. It was freezing - bumped into John from the road crew. Sat drinking teas and coffees for a couple of hours - town was deserted. Made are way back to the venue and Sweet were there waiting to get in too. Pete Lincoln (singer) said the band had flown in from Germany. They were starving and he had spent his time googling pubs and restaurants trying to find somewhere where they could go for Sunday Lunch. Everywhere was full. They were starving!
Found out why Dartford was deserted when the psychic show emptied. All the town's women were there! Joked that H and me should do psychic readings before our shows! Had a good gig.
(Day of Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells gig)
I was awake before my alarm went off at 8.00am. I cleaned and packed before breakfast. Drove to Tunbridge Wells.
Did soundcheck and cleaned up there. Had a great show. H, Mal and myself came back by cab to the hotel.
Sunday 3 November 2013
(Day of Milton Keynes Theatre gig)
Got up when the alarm went off at 7.30. Cleaned up and packed - and went for breakfast. I then caught the train with H and Mal to Milton Keynes - we travelled via London.
We walked about 1/2 mile from Milton Keynes train station to our hotel - had tea and cake before cleaning up.
Found out that there was a huge firework display and funfair taking place that evening next to the gig. Local roads were closed - and this caused some problems with fans getting to the show. It was a great new build venue - I don't think that we have played the venue or Milton Keynes before.
I went back to the hotel and went to bed at 10.45pm.
Monday 4 November 2013
I got up before the alarm went off at 9.00am. I cleaned up and went for breakfast. I packed and checked out and caught the train with H to King's Lynn. (We had a gig in King's Lynn the next day - and were having a day off in King's Lynn).
We found our hotel and H and me went for a walk around town. We had tea and biscuits before dinner. Hanne called - Andreas had caught his flight from Denmark (he was coming to join me to be my drum roadie for the tour during his gap year).
H and I ate together - before I walked to the train station to meet Andreas. I went back to the hotel and was in bed by 11.00pm.
Tuesday 5 November 2013
(Day of Corn Exchange, King's Lynn gig)
I got up at 9.30am before cleaning up. I went to the gig early as I wanted to sort all the gear out with Andreas. I then relaxed before the gig. It was a good one. Was back at the hotel and in bed by 23.00.
Wednesday 6 November 2013
I got up when the alarm went off at 5am and cleaned up and packed to check out and get the train to Stoke on Trent.
Matt Bourne from Omnibus Press met us - and we went to Waterstones for a book signing. Not many people this time - and from there we went to the hotel and checked in. I went shopping while Andreas relaxed.
Thursday 7 November 2013
(Day of Victoria Hall, Stoke on Trent gig)
I was awake early at 9.00am and made tea before cleaning up. I went to the gig after checking out.
The show was good and we drove to Stansted after the show. We checked in to our usual hotel there, The Radisson, for a few hours sleep before an early flight back to Denmark - to spend a few days at home.
Sunday 10 November 2013
(Day of Orchard Theatre, Dartford gig)
I got up and cleaned up and drove to Billund. Andreas and I checked in before flying to Stansted.
Dave Kemp met us at the airport and drove us to the Premier Inn in Brentwood where we would be staying that night. Our rooms weren't ready to check into - so we had lunch in the local pub and watched the Spurs football match on the telly.
Cleaned up and travelled to Dartford. Arrived there at 1.30pm but couldn't get in to venue until 4.30pm as a psychic show was going on! Some fans were waiting outside the venue - signed autographs and did some photos.
Went for a walk around the local shopping arcade. It was freezing - bumped into John from the road crew. Sat drinking teas and coffees for a couple of hours - town was deserted. Made are way back to the venue and Sweet were there waiting to get in too. Pete Lincoln (singer) said the band had flown in from Germany. They were starving and he had spent his time googling pubs and restaurants trying to find somewhere where they could go for Sunday Lunch. Everywhere was full. They were starving!
Found out why Dartford was deserted when the psychic show emptied. All the town's women were there! Joked that H and me should do psychic readings before our shows! Had a good gig.
Monday 18 November 2013
Got up at 5.00am when the alarm went off. Cleaned up & packed, went for breakfast. Too early. I helped the staff carry the newly delivered milk and bread to the kitchen.
Drove to Heathrow Terminal 5 and checked in for our flight to Moscow. Relaxed in the lounge before having a pleasant 3 hour flight. Watched "The Great Gatsby" film with Leonardo DiCaprio before landing in Moscow.
We drove to the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Central Moscow. We all had to walk through a body scanner to get into the hotel. The security is tight in Moscow. We unpacked - and we all decided to eat in the Hotel. Andreas and myself walked to Red Square to take photos for the website.
For some reason Red Square was blocked off - as workers were setting up some event there, probably an ice skating rink. Went back to the hotel and was in bed by 1am.
Tuesday 18 November 2013
I stayed in bed til midday. Got up, made tea, and relaxed some more.
Drove to the gig. The venue was Crocus City Hall a big venue where all major acts play, and security was very tight.
So much so that some of the roadies were not allowed onstage - even though they had security passes! We had a crowd of 1,500. It was a great show - with very high-tech lighting. Russian gigs are different to other European ones as the promoters provide no support act. The crowd come to see just the main act - then go home. The gigs in Russia finish very early.
Went back to the hotel to eat. I was in bed by 11pm.
Wednesday 19 November 2013
This day was a day off. I got up at 8am, cleaned up and packed. Went for breakfast and all the others came down. We all checked out and checked out to get the train to St Petersburg.
The train journey was 4 hours. Our promoter had told us that it is possible to fly between Moscow and St Petersburg, but he himself never does it... He doesn't trust the internal Russian airlines for safety - and of course there had been that awful plane crash in Russia just the day before... Once again security was tight at the station with bag and body scanners. Also, we noticed that during the journey there were police in every train carriage.
We checked in to the hotel - so once again we all had dinner together. Later that evening I got my Passport back from the Reception. (When I travel to Russia I use my "second" passport. I have two British Passports - the second one I use just for travel to Russia. This saves problems when travelling to other countries as some are suspicious if they see Russia stamps in the passport... This is all legal by the way!)
Thursday 20th November 2013
Stayed in bed til 11.30am. Cleaned up before going for tea. Saw H in the lift - also on his way to get tea!. Andreas came back from shopping - and he then left to go to the gig to prepare my drums. I had to get the hotel technician to come to my room and get my room warmer - I couldn't work the thermostat!
We had a great show in St Petersburg. The place was packed full, and with security being less strict that in Moscow, the crowd really enjoyed themselves.
A touching moment was when a little boy got on stage to give me some flowers and some drumsticks. Security saw how young he was and decided to let him up. Unfortunately we didn't get a photo of him.
Came back to the hotel - was in bed by 10.45pm.
Friday 22 November 2013
Stayed in bed til 10.00am. Cleaned up and packed to check out and fly to Germany.
Flew to Frankfurt. Andreas and myself then got the train to Erfurt and walked to the Radisson Hotel. We checked in and to to eat together. The others arrived by bus and we relaxed all evening. Andy Scott (Sweet) arrived from England and we talked for a while. I went to my room where Andreas was relaxing.
Saturday 23 November 2013
Got up at 8.30 and cleaned up and went for breakfast. Then I went with Robin to the gig to sort my drums out with Andreas. Went back to the hotel and cleaned up.
Had time for tea before going to the gig. Had a great show in front of 6,000 people. Went back to the hotel and spoke to Hanne before going to bed by 10.30pm.
Sunday 24 November 2013
I cleaned up and went for breakfast. Andreas came also - and then we packed and caught a direct train to Frankfurt Airport.
I saw H by the security scanners. Amazingly he walked away from them forgetting his shoes and his loose change. I can understand the shoes, but not the loose change!
I flew home to Denmark, and Andreas decided to stay in the UK with his girlfriend. He kept all my clean clothes in his suitcase - whilst I took all our dirty clothes home in mine for washing!
Monday 25 November 2013
I had a late flight to the UK and arrived at Stansted at 19.40pm. It took ages to collect my suitcase at the baggage claim. I left, went through arrivals and met Andreas who had travelled by train from London to Stansted. He had spent the day in Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and had a great time.
Dave Kemp collected us at the airport for a quick drive up to Sheffield. We laughed as he has a SatNav in his car with a broad cockney accent. When we arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Sheffield it announced "You have reached your final destination my old son." Andreas always mimics the voice!
Had a quick pot of tea with Dave and then went to bed about 11pm.
Got up at 5.00am when the alarm went off. Cleaned up & packed, went for breakfast. Too early. I helped the staff carry the newly delivered milk and bread to the kitchen.
Drove to Heathrow Terminal 5 and checked in for our flight to Moscow. Relaxed in the lounge before having a pleasant 3 hour flight. Watched "The Great Gatsby" film with Leonardo DiCaprio before landing in Moscow.
We drove to the Courtyard Marriott Hotel in Central Moscow. We all had to walk through a body scanner to get into the hotel. The security is tight in Moscow. We unpacked - and we all decided to eat in the Hotel. Andreas and myself walked to Red Square to take photos for the website.
For some reason Red Square was blocked off - as workers were setting up some event there, probably an ice skating rink. Went back to the hotel and was in bed by 1am.
Tuesday 18 November 2013
I stayed in bed til midday. Got up, made tea, and relaxed some more.
Drove to the gig. The venue was Crocus City Hall a big venue where all major acts play, and security was very tight.
So much so that some of the roadies were not allowed onstage - even though they had security passes! We had a crowd of 1,500. It was a great show - with very high-tech lighting. Russian gigs are different to other European ones as the promoters provide no support act. The crowd come to see just the main act - then go home. The gigs in Russia finish very early.
Went back to the hotel to eat. I was in bed by 11pm.
Wednesday 19 November 2013
This day was a day off. I got up at 8am, cleaned up and packed. Went for breakfast and all the others came down. We all checked out and checked out to get the train to St Petersburg.
The train journey was 4 hours. Our promoter had told us that it is possible to fly between Moscow and St Petersburg, but he himself never does it... He doesn't trust the internal Russian airlines for safety - and of course there had been that awful plane crash in Russia just the day before... Once again security was tight at the station with bag and body scanners. Also, we noticed that during the journey there were police in every train carriage.
We checked in to the hotel - so once again we all had dinner together. Later that evening I got my Passport back from the Reception. (When I travel to Russia I use my "second" passport. I have two British Passports - the second one I use just for travel to Russia. This saves problems when travelling to other countries as some are suspicious if they see Russia stamps in the passport... This is all legal by the way!)
Thursday 20th November 2013
Stayed in bed til 11.30am. Cleaned up before going for tea. Saw H in the lift - also on his way to get tea!. Andreas came back from shopping - and he then left to go to the gig to prepare my drums. I had to get the hotel technician to come to my room and get my room warmer - I couldn't work the thermostat!
We had a great show in St Petersburg. The place was packed full, and with security being less strict that in Moscow, the crowd really enjoyed themselves.
A touching moment was when a little boy got on stage to give me some flowers and some drumsticks. Security saw how young he was and decided to let him up. Unfortunately we didn't get a photo of him.
Came back to the hotel - was in bed by 10.45pm.
Friday 22 November 2013
Stayed in bed til 10.00am. Cleaned up and packed to check out and fly to Germany.
Flew to Frankfurt. Andreas and myself then got the train to Erfurt and walked to the Radisson Hotel. We checked in and to to eat together. The others arrived by bus and we relaxed all evening. Andy Scott (Sweet) arrived from England and we talked for a while. I went to my room where Andreas was relaxing.
Saturday 23 November 2013
Got up at 8.30 and cleaned up and went for breakfast. Then I went with Robin to the gig to sort my drums out with Andreas. Went back to the hotel and cleaned up.
Had time for tea before going to the gig. Had a great show in front of 6,000 people. Went back to the hotel and spoke to Hanne before going to bed by 10.30pm.
Sunday 24 November 2013
I cleaned up and went for breakfast. Andreas came also - and then we packed and caught a direct train to Frankfurt Airport.
I saw H by the security scanners. Amazingly he walked away from them forgetting his shoes and his loose change. I can understand the shoes, but not the loose change!
I flew home to Denmark, and Andreas decided to stay in the UK with his girlfriend. He kept all my clean clothes in his suitcase - whilst I took all our dirty clothes home in mine for washing!
Monday 25 November 2013
I had a late flight to the UK and arrived at Stansted at 19.40pm. It took ages to collect my suitcase at the baggage claim. I left, went through arrivals and met Andreas who had travelled by train from London to Stansted. He had spent the day in Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and had a great time.
Dave Kemp collected us at the airport for a quick drive up to Sheffield. We laughed as he has a SatNav in his car with a broad cockney accent. When we arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Sheffield it announced "You have reached your final destination my old son." Andreas always mimics the voice!
Had a quick pot of tea with Dave and then went to bed about 11pm.
Don at the Yondermann Cafe
Tuesday 26 November 2013
Met Dave Kemp at breakfast - Andreas got up late and just managed to get a pile of food before they cleared away. I get a text from my mate Barry Whitwam, the original drummer with Herman's Hermits. He can hopefully come to see Slade at our Manchester show. I tell the story about how Elvis Presley really liked Herman's Hermits and wanted to meet them. He was filming Blue Hawaii (in Hawaii) and chartered a private jet so that they could meet him on set. Barry still has a photo that he took of him meeting Elvis. That is some photo to have!
Me, Andreas and Dave caught a cab into central Sheffield. Walked around the town centre and found a Post Office as I needed to post a few bits that I had brought over from Denmark.
Got to Waterstones and there weren't many people around. However, when I returned from having tea in the staff room there was a crowd of people waiting. Matt Bourne from Omnibus Press turned up to help organise things. At this signing there were many familiar faces from the past - and two guys from tribute band Slyde Alive were there telling me how they came to form their band. Most of the people there were going to the City Hall gig the following day - which was always a good venue for Slade. I am told that only a handful of tickets remain before Sheffield sells out. 50 biography books were sold at the Waterstones signing which is great...
We pack up and drive out of Sheffield - with How Does It Feel playing in the car....
We cross the moors to get to Buxton and stop for lunch in a transport cafe. I am told the smell of local livestock was terrible - but I couldn't smell it of course.
Me and Andreas check in to the Old Hall Hotel - whilst Dave drives home.
Thursday 28 November 2013
I was awake at 07.45am before my alarm went off. I got ready, packed and went for breakfast.
H, Andrea and myself went to Newcastle by train.
Checked in the hotel, had tea before making my way to Waterstones, with Tim (road crew) and Andreas, for a book signing. Had a good session, about 35 books sold.
Went back to the hotel. Had dinner and was in my room by 10.00pm.
Friday 29 November 2013
Gateshead Sage Concert
Got up at 9.30am and relaxed in my room before cleaning up. I had to get the engineer to my room as the shower wasn't working. He turned up and just turned a knob 1/4" to the left and it was - was was muttering as he left my room...
I went for coffee and then Andreas and myself had lunch. He went to the gig. I followed later.
Great gig. Came back to hotel with Malcolm (who used to run our Fan Club) and Fran. Had some tea and went to bed at 11.00pm.
Saturday 30 November 2013
Dundee Caird Hall Concert
I got up at 9.00am. Cleaned up and packed. Went for breakfast with the crew. The others left to drive to Dundee. I went with H by train!
Barry from the Hermits left a message that he and his wife Pat would definitely go to the Manchester show.
Arrived in Dundee and we went to the wrong (Premier Inn) hotel at first. Caught a cab to the right one - but found out I had left my mobile phone charger and alarm clocks in Gateshead!
Had a great show - got to bed at 11pm.
Sunday 1 December 2013
Aberdeen Music Hall Concert
I got up early at 7.45am. I went for breakfast and H and myself went by train to Aberdeen. Checked into the hotel and I went to the venue to sort my drums out.
Went back to the hotel to clean up.
Great gig - went back to the hotel. Bed by 11.00pm.
Monday 2 December 2013
I got up when the alarm went off at 8.45am. Cleaned up and went for breakfast.
Checked out and went shopping, and then on to meet H, to get on the train for Glasgow.
I went to the First Class lounge before getting on the train. H had lost his ticket - and had to buy a new one. On the journey we passed my hero (William Wallace's) statue.
I did the book signing at Waterstones in Glasgow. I went back to the hotel and went out to eat with Sue (National Autistic Society charity) and Andy (her husband) & Andreas.
Relaxed in my hotel and was in bed by 10.35am.
Tuesday 3 December 2013
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall gig
I stayed in bed until 11.00am - cleaned up and then went for tea.
Ted McKenna made contact and he came to the hotel for a chat and tea.
Had a great gig - I walked back to the hotel. Was in bed by 10.30pm.
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Manchester Palace Theatre
Got up when the alarm went off at 7.00am. Cleaned up, packed and left my suitcase for the others to take in their van.
We went from Glasgow to Manchester. We checked into our hotel - but Dave and his wife Jan used another hotel. Mal and me waited for the others to arrive with our suitcases.
I cleaned up and made my own way to the gig. In the afternoon I arranged to meet a fan called Keith Marran who flew from the USA to go to the gig. Keith saw Slade five times around the New York area in the 1970's. He travelled with his son Keith junior, and they both had saved for months to make the trip. The least I could do was agree to meet them. Keith wrote to me via the website - and when I met him he gave with copies of ticket stubs of our gigs with Aerosmith and American press reports. It was lovely chatting to him.
After the Manchester show I met Harry Goodman's friend (Harry was the BBC Top of The Pops resident photographer in the 1970's - he died recently). He gave me a great photo book. Got a cab back to the hotel. Chatted to Hanne and went to bed at 11.15pm.
Met Dave Kemp at breakfast - Andreas got up late and just managed to get a pile of food before they cleared away. I get a text from my mate Barry Whitwam, the original drummer with Herman's Hermits. He can hopefully come to see Slade at our Manchester show. I tell the story about how Elvis Presley really liked Herman's Hermits and wanted to meet them. He was filming Blue Hawaii (in Hawaii) and chartered a private jet so that they could meet him on set. Barry still has a photo that he took of him meeting Elvis. That is some photo to have!
Me, Andreas and Dave caught a cab into central Sheffield. Walked around the town centre and found a Post Office as I needed to post a few bits that I had brought over from Denmark.
Got to Waterstones and there weren't many people around. However, when I returned from having tea in the staff room there was a crowd of people waiting. Matt Bourne from Omnibus Press turned up to help organise things. At this signing there were many familiar faces from the past - and two guys from tribute band Slyde Alive were there telling me how they came to form their band. Most of the people there were going to the City Hall gig the following day - which was always a good venue for Slade. I am told that only a handful of tickets remain before Sheffield sells out. 50 biography books were sold at the Waterstones signing which is great...
We pack up and drive out of Sheffield - with How Does It Feel playing in the car....
We cross the moors to get to Buxton and stop for lunch in a transport cafe. I am told the smell of local livestock was terrible - but I couldn't smell it of course.
Me and Andreas check in to the Old Hall Hotel - whilst Dave drives home.
Thursday 28 November 2013
I was awake at 07.45am before my alarm went off. I got ready, packed and went for breakfast.
H, Andrea and myself went to Newcastle by train.
Checked in the hotel, had tea before making my way to Waterstones, with Tim (road crew) and Andreas, for a book signing. Had a good session, about 35 books sold.
Went back to the hotel. Had dinner and was in my room by 10.00pm.
Friday 29 November 2013
Gateshead Sage Concert
Got up at 9.30am and relaxed in my room before cleaning up. I had to get the engineer to my room as the shower wasn't working. He turned up and just turned a knob 1/4" to the left and it was - was was muttering as he left my room...
I went for coffee and then Andreas and myself had lunch. He went to the gig. I followed later.
Great gig. Came back to hotel with Malcolm (who used to run our Fan Club) and Fran. Had some tea and went to bed at 11.00pm.
Saturday 30 November 2013
Dundee Caird Hall Concert
I got up at 9.00am. Cleaned up and packed. Went for breakfast with the crew. The others left to drive to Dundee. I went with H by train!
Barry from the Hermits left a message that he and his wife Pat would definitely go to the Manchester show.
Arrived in Dundee and we went to the wrong (Premier Inn) hotel at first. Caught a cab to the right one - but found out I had left my mobile phone charger and alarm clocks in Gateshead!
Had a great show - got to bed at 11pm.
Sunday 1 December 2013
Aberdeen Music Hall Concert
I got up early at 7.45am. I went for breakfast and H and myself went by train to Aberdeen. Checked into the hotel and I went to the venue to sort my drums out.
Went back to the hotel to clean up.
Great gig - went back to the hotel. Bed by 11.00pm.
Monday 2 December 2013
I got up when the alarm went off at 8.45am. Cleaned up and went for breakfast.
Checked out and went shopping, and then on to meet H, to get on the train for Glasgow.
I went to the First Class lounge before getting on the train. H had lost his ticket - and had to buy a new one. On the journey we passed my hero (William Wallace's) statue.
I did the book signing at Waterstones in Glasgow. I went back to the hotel and went out to eat with Sue (National Autistic Society charity) and Andy (her husband) & Andreas.
Relaxed in my hotel and was in bed by 10.35am.
Tuesday 3 December 2013
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall gig
I stayed in bed until 11.00am - cleaned up and then went for tea.
Ted McKenna made contact and he came to the hotel for a chat and tea.
Had a great gig - I walked back to the hotel. Was in bed by 10.30pm.
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Manchester Palace Theatre
Got up when the alarm went off at 7.00am. Cleaned up, packed and left my suitcase for the others to take in their van.
We went from Glasgow to Manchester. We checked into our hotel - but Dave and his wife Jan used another hotel. Mal and me waited for the others to arrive with our suitcases.
I cleaned up and made my own way to the gig. In the afternoon I arranged to meet a fan called Keith Marran who flew from the USA to go to the gig. Keith saw Slade five times around the New York area in the 1970's. He travelled with his son Keith junior, and they both had saved for months to make the trip. The least I could do was agree to meet them. Keith wrote to me via the website - and when I met him he gave with copies of ticket stubs of our gigs with Aerosmith and American press reports. It was lovely chatting to him.
After the Manchester show I met Harry Goodman's friend (Harry was the BBC Top of The Pops resident photographer in the 1970's - he died recently). He gave me a great photo book. Got a cab back to the hotel. Chatted to Hanne and went to bed at 11.15pm.
Keith Marron (Senior and Junior) with Don in Manchester
Keith Marron info: "Two of the gigs I saw were Aerosmith opening for Slade at the Felt Forum (under Madison Square Garden) a 5,000 seater sell-out. Then two weeks later it was Slade opening for Areosmith at the Providence Civic Center in Boston (Boston being Areosmith's home town) - the place seated 15,000 and was also sold out.... Slade blew them away both nights!"
Thursday 5 December 2013
I was awake at 5.00am. I read through Harry Goodwin's photo book before cleaning up.
Went for breakfast before Andreas and myself went by train to York. We did some shopping before checking in to our hotel. Earlier I spent about 3 hours signing (about 35 books) at Waterstones in York.
Andreas and I walked around town and got some DVDs and CDs. Andreas relaxed in the room with room-service. I had tea downstairs.
Was in bed by 9.45pm.
Friday 6 December 2013
I was awake by 10.00am - tried to call Hanne - made tea and relaxed.
Eventually spoke to Hanne. There had been some damage done at home due to the high winds in Denmark. Our greenhouse was gone - and trees. Our road in Denmark was blocked off and many trees from many gardens are down.
I started to clean up. I went for tea . Robin (roadie) was there. I had a walk around town.
Great gig - went to bed.
Thursday 5 December 2013
I was awake at 5.00am. I read through Harry Goodwin's photo book before cleaning up.
Went for breakfast before Andreas and myself went by train to York. We did some shopping before checking in to our hotel. Earlier I spent about 3 hours signing (about 35 books) at Waterstones in York.
Andreas and I walked around town and got some DVDs and CDs. Andreas relaxed in the room with room-service. I had tea downstairs.
Was in bed by 9.45pm.
Friday 6 December 2013
I was awake by 10.00am - tried to call Hanne - made tea and relaxed.
Eventually spoke to Hanne. There had been some damage done at home due to the high winds in Denmark. Our greenhouse was gone - and trees. Our road in Denmark was blocked off and many trees from many gardens are down.
I started to clean up. I went for tea . Robin (roadie) was there. I had a walk around town.
Great gig - went to bed.
Saturday 7 December 2013
Southport Theatre Concert
I was awake at 6.45am. Cleaned up and went for breakfast. Packed and left mycase with the crew to go to Southport.
We checked into hotel and did sound check.
Had a great show. Some old friends turned up - Penny Irvine, the 'N Betweens fan who went to our gigs in the Bahamas. She lives in Southport now. Also, Terry from 70's rock band Colonel Bagshot was there too. We all had a drink in the hotel. I went back to my room.
Friday 13 December 2013
Got up when the alarm went off at 5.30am. I cleaned up and packed the car to drive to Billund Airport.
We flew to Copenhagen, saw our friend Marianne, who got us in the SAS lounge. We then flew to Brussels and caught the bus to our hotel in Antwerp.
Andy, Sue, Andrew and Amie were there. We all had dinner together. Old-time Slade fan Phillippe picked up H at the airport and brought him to the hotel. Dave Edmunds and David Essex were also there and we had a chat with David Essex.
Saturday 14 December 2013
Golden Years Festival gig, Antwerp, Belgium
Stayed in bed until 10.15am - I made tea and called Hanne. Started to clean up and went for more tea.
Spent the afternoon at the gig. Came back to the hotel before the gig.
It was a great gig. Huge crowd. Came back to the hotel with Phillippe and H - had a cup of tea and was in bed by 12.30am.
Sunday 15 December 2013
Got up when the alarm went off at 9.00am - cleaned up and went for breakfast.
Packed & checked out. Caught the bus to Brussels airport. Checked in and relaxed in the lounge. Flew to B'ham with H, Tony O'Hara & Andreas. We caught a cab to the Holiday Inn in Brum town centre. Went shopping and found the German Christmas Market in front of the Town Hall. Ate loads of German Sausages and walked backed to the hotel. Had tea before I went out again to post Christmas cards.
Relaxed in my room. A programme about Christmas songs was on Channel 5 - Slade were featured at No.4 in their chart!
Peter O'Toole died today...
Monday 16 December 2013
Was awake early. Cleaned up and went for breakfast. Watched tv. Saw an Ozzie interview when Sharon said to him "You're No.1 in 50 countries". His reply "I didn't know there was fuckin' 50 countries".
Had a great 30 minute talk with Talk Radio Europe.
Went shopping. Paid some money in at the bank. Spoke to Cara from BBC1's One Show to sort out being filmed for the show (a piece about my amnesia).
Did the sound-check. H and myself were then filmed by local BBC news. We talked about Roy Wood playing a gig a few doors away from us - and we talked about Merry Xmas Everybody being 40 years old.
Signed some autographs and did some photos with fans outside the Town Hall. Bumped in to Dave Kemp and Fran in the German Market - and went for tea.
The gig was good - and bits were filmed by the BBC. My nephew Ian and his wife Mel were at the gig - their first show since they saw us in Malvern a while ago. We went back to the Holiday Inn afterwards - and chatted. Ian and Mel recently returned from honeymoon in New York - and we exchange stories about the place. I told how Haden Donovan told our American agent in the 1970's that he was scared of getting mugged in New York. Our agent couldn't stop laughing as he could see the size of him!
Tuesday 17 December 2013
Guildford G Live
I cleaned up and packed and went to the station. I was going to the Christmas Lunch for old clients of PR man Keith Altham. I met everyone at La Strada Restaurant in Barnes. I sat next to Henry from Sailor and his wife Dee Dee (from Pan's People). Chris Charlesworth came up to me and gave me a big hug and said how well the book was doing.
After the meal I made my way to Guildford. I cleaned up and Andreas and myself had dinner.
We had a great show. I came back to the hotel to do a radio interview. Stefan, Chas Chandler's son, was at the show. Went to bed at 11.45pm.
Wednesday 18 December 2013
Wednesday was a day-off. I got up at 8am, cleaned up and packed and got a cab to the station. I caught the Eastbourne train via Gatwick. (We are playing Eastbourne tomorrow). We checked into the hotel and I took Mal, Andreas and Suzzanne to see Beachy Head. We did some shopping for stationery - and then Andreas, Suzzanne and myself had dinner at the hotel. We wrote out envelopes to post some copies of the biog!
I played snooker with Andreas and spoke to John Woodtive about getting some equipment. Went to bed at 10.15pm.
Thursday 19 December 2013
Eastbourne Congress Theatre
I got up at 8.00am. I tried to get hold of H. The One Show on BBC1 wanted to film a piece about my amnesia and they wanted to see if they could film H too. Things worked out. They spent a few hours filming me in the afternoon - and then they got to talk to H. The One Show team said the show will be broadcast in 2014.
We did sound-check. Great show - and then had tea at the hotel. Went to bed at 11.15
Southport Theatre Concert
I was awake at 6.45am. Cleaned up and went for breakfast. Packed and left mycase with the crew to go to Southport.
We checked into hotel and did sound check.
Had a great show. Some old friends turned up - Penny Irvine, the 'N Betweens fan who went to our gigs in the Bahamas. She lives in Southport now. Also, Terry from 70's rock band Colonel Bagshot was there too. We all had a drink in the hotel. I went back to my room.
Friday 13 December 2013
Got up when the alarm went off at 5.30am. I cleaned up and packed the car to drive to Billund Airport.
We flew to Copenhagen, saw our friend Marianne, who got us in the SAS lounge. We then flew to Brussels and caught the bus to our hotel in Antwerp.
Andy, Sue, Andrew and Amie were there. We all had dinner together. Old-time Slade fan Phillippe picked up H at the airport and brought him to the hotel. Dave Edmunds and David Essex were also there and we had a chat with David Essex.
Saturday 14 December 2013
Golden Years Festival gig, Antwerp, Belgium
Stayed in bed until 10.15am - I made tea and called Hanne. Started to clean up and went for more tea.
Spent the afternoon at the gig. Came back to the hotel before the gig.
It was a great gig. Huge crowd. Came back to the hotel with Phillippe and H - had a cup of tea and was in bed by 12.30am.
Sunday 15 December 2013
Got up when the alarm went off at 9.00am - cleaned up and went for breakfast.
Packed & checked out. Caught the bus to Brussels airport. Checked in and relaxed in the lounge. Flew to B'ham with H, Tony O'Hara & Andreas. We caught a cab to the Holiday Inn in Brum town centre. Went shopping and found the German Christmas Market in front of the Town Hall. Ate loads of German Sausages and walked backed to the hotel. Had tea before I went out again to post Christmas cards.
Relaxed in my room. A programme about Christmas songs was on Channel 5 - Slade were featured at No.4 in their chart!
Peter O'Toole died today...
Monday 16 December 2013
Was awake early. Cleaned up and went for breakfast. Watched tv. Saw an Ozzie interview when Sharon said to him "You're No.1 in 50 countries". His reply "I didn't know there was fuckin' 50 countries".
Had a great 30 minute talk with Talk Radio Europe.
Went shopping. Paid some money in at the bank. Spoke to Cara from BBC1's One Show to sort out being filmed for the show (a piece about my amnesia).
Did the sound-check. H and myself were then filmed by local BBC news. We talked about Roy Wood playing a gig a few doors away from us - and we talked about Merry Xmas Everybody being 40 years old.
Signed some autographs and did some photos with fans outside the Town Hall. Bumped in to Dave Kemp and Fran in the German Market - and went for tea.
The gig was good - and bits were filmed by the BBC. My nephew Ian and his wife Mel were at the gig - their first show since they saw us in Malvern a while ago. We went back to the Holiday Inn afterwards - and chatted. Ian and Mel recently returned from honeymoon in New York - and we exchange stories about the place. I told how Haden Donovan told our American agent in the 1970's that he was scared of getting mugged in New York. Our agent couldn't stop laughing as he could see the size of him!
Tuesday 17 December 2013
Guildford G Live
I cleaned up and packed and went to the station. I was going to the Christmas Lunch for old clients of PR man Keith Altham. I met everyone at La Strada Restaurant in Barnes. I sat next to Henry from Sailor and his wife Dee Dee (from Pan's People). Chris Charlesworth came up to me and gave me a big hug and said how well the book was doing.
After the meal I made my way to Guildford. I cleaned up and Andreas and myself had dinner.
We had a great show. I came back to the hotel to do a radio interview. Stefan, Chas Chandler's son, was at the show. Went to bed at 11.45pm.
Wednesday 18 December 2013
Wednesday was a day-off. I got up at 8am, cleaned up and packed and got a cab to the station. I caught the Eastbourne train via Gatwick. (We are playing Eastbourne tomorrow). We checked into the hotel and I took Mal, Andreas and Suzzanne to see Beachy Head. We did some shopping for stationery - and then Andreas, Suzzanne and myself had dinner at the hotel. We wrote out envelopes to post some copies of the biog!
I played snooker with Andreas and spoke to John Woodtive about getting some equipment. Went to bed at 10.15pm.
Thursday 19 December 2013
Eastbourne Congress Theatre
I got up at 8.00am. I tried to get hold of H. The One Show on BBC1 wanted to film a piece about my amnesia and they wanted to see if they could film H too. Things worked out. They spent a few hours filming me in the afternoon - and then they got to talk to H. The One Show team said the show will be broadcast in 2014.
We did sound-check. Great show - and then had tea at the hotel. Went to bed at 11.15
The One Show team
Friday 20 December
Poole - The Lighthouse
Got up at 6.45am before my alarm went off. I cleaned and packed and went for breakfast.
Mal and myself went by train to Poole. We walked to the hotel, cleaned up and then went to check my drums.
Went back to the hotel - and then back to the gig. It was a great gig - a full house. I walked back to the hotel and spoke to Hanne. Had some tea and went to bed!
Saturday 21 December 2013
City Hall Salisbury
Got up at 7am. Cleaned up, and packed and went for breakfast. We drove to Salisbury.
We had a great last show of the tour. Tich from Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich was there.
Got a cab to take me and Andreas to the Holiday Inn at Stansted after the show. It was a 2 hour drive. Went to bed at 2am.
Later that Sunday morning me and Andreas flew home for Christmas!!
Poole - The Lighthouse
Got up at 6.45am before my alarm went off. I cleaned and packed and went for breakfast.
Mal and myself went by train to Poole. We walked to the hotel, cleaned up and then went to check my drums.
Went back to the hotel - and then back to the gig. It was a great gig - a full house. I walked back to the hotel and spoke to Hanne. Had some tea and went to bed!
Saturday 21 December 2013
City Hall Salisbury
Got up at 7am. Cleaned up, and packed and went for breakfast. We drove to Salisbury.
We had a great last show of the tour. Tich from Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich was there.
Got a cab to take me and Andreas to the Holiday Inn at Stansted after the show. It was a 2 hour drive. Went to bed at 2am.
Later that Sunday morning me and Andreas flew home for Christmas!!
