CHARLEY LANDSBOROUGH Also on our table was the one and only Charley Landsborough . Charlie is an international country music star ( for anyone who has been in an underground shelter for the last 50 years ) and one of Birkenhead ’ s greatest . It was so lovely to chat to him and his wife , Thelma .
BILLY BUTLER Growing up , Billy Butler was a part of the family . His voice could be heard in the house , in the car and on sunny days , in the garden . Mrs Butler ’ s eldest was part of every Liverpool family and affectionately remembered , amongst other things , for his Sunday show with Wally Scott , Hold Your Plums . Years later , as the owner of the Buz Magazine , I became a regular stand-in for Lyn Staunton on Billy ’ s show , guesting alongside the lovely Bobby Sox on Stars in Their Ears . It ’ s fair to say I love Billy Butler to pieces . I love his passion for local music , well , music in general . I love how he loves his wife and isn ’ t afraid to say it . I love how he has helped many people , including myself and my daughter Jade . I love that he is still where he belongs , entertaining the folk of Merseyside on Liverpool Live Radio ( Saturday and Sunday mornings ).
FAMILIAR FACES It was a real trip down memory lane for me , catching up with people I had not in years . The room was full of familiar faces ; Ricky Tomlinson , Jimmy King , Brian Jones , John H . Stracey , and many more .
DANCE INC
GUITAR LEGENDS Talking of amazing nights , I was lucky enough to catch Gary ’ s Guitar Legends show at Heswall Hall last month . It was my first time watching this show and seeing my daughter , Jade , with the band . It never fails to amaze me just what a talent Gary is . The guitar is simply an extension of his body ; he plays so smoothly and so precisely . Classic after classic was performed by a new line-up :
ADAM GOLDBERG - DRUMS Adam hails from the talented Goldberg family . I have known his dad since the Liverpool Express days , but this was my first time meeting Adam . He is an understated but nevertheless excellent drummer and , like his dad , a lovely guy .
GLYN WILLIAMS - KEYBOARD I have known Glyn for a fair while . I asked him to write for the Buz because he was and still is a cool dude . That takes nothing away from the absolute talent he is on the keys . He has played with so many bands , including China Crisis and The Real People . Locally he is in a number of outfits , including a duo with Jade called Glade .
MAL - BASS & BACKING VOCALS . I don ’ t know Mal too well but knew he was a McCartney Tribute , in fact , he came second in Stars in Their Eyes as Macca . Locally , he can be seen playing with Asa Murphy amongst others . Such a lovely guy and a great musician .
ALAN LEWIS , RICKY TOMLINSON , GARY MURPHY , CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH
JADE THUNDER - GUITAR AND VOCALS Jade is a formidable talent on her own , but she sits comfortably in this band . Her vocals can be powerful enough to duet on Journey ’ s Don ’ t Stop Believing with Gary Brown and soft enough to sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow . She holds her own beautifully as a musician , accompanying Gary on rhythm guitar . I was really impressed to see her play the intro to Hotel California on an electric twelve-string .
Appearances from the wonderfully talented Brian ‘ Sax ’ Jones and Gary Brown enhanced this amazing production ’ s power and performance .
BRIAN SAXOPHONE JONES Brian has been playing the Saxophone since his early teens and found fame with the sixties Merseybeat group , The Undertakers . It is fair to say that Brian has been around a bit ! He has played with all the greats and is still playing at the tender age of 82 .
GARY BROWN Gary is a powerhouse vocalist and has performed on the Northwest circuit for years . I could listen to him all night with that pure rock voice . Tonight , he showed just why he is such a popular choice .
CHARLIE LANDSBOROUGH , DI TREMARCO , BILLY BUTLER
JO PUE There was one other appearance that I would like to mention . Jo Pue played the violin during The Who ’ s Baba O ’ Riley . I later found out that she was in a duo with her daughter , Ava , called the Skylarks . Jo is superb , so I can only imagine her duo is equally good . I plan to see them in the near future , so I will report back .
Other News .... Out and about last month , I caught a couple of acts that I wanted to tell you about . The first was a female duo , Glass Hearts . My daughter , Jade Thunder , has joined forces with Helen Maw to form Glass Hearts . Two guitars , two great voices , and sublime harmonies performing everything from John Denver ’ s Country Roads to Bruce Springsteen ' s Dancing in the Dark . Watch out for their version of The Cranberries Dreams ; it will send chills down your spine .
INSANITY BEACH The second was a band I know very well or knew , as this was a totally different line-up apart from the frontman Ian Cowell . My word , do they still rock ? The pub was packed , and the atmosphere was electric . Sadly , I only caught the last few numbers , but it was enough to know that they still sound superb , have great timing , and still put on a great show !
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