Articles
Live8 Report
September, 2005
Article - Tracks Magazine
Feb/Mar 2005
Tribute
Nov 19, 2004
Article -
Fort Collins Sentinel
Oct. 23, 2004
Review - Beat
Sept. 18, 2004
Article - Downbeat
August 2004
Review - NME
July 2004
Review -
The Guardian
June 19, 2002
Article
- Rolling Stone
June 2002
Review - Magnet
March 2002
Review - Poseur
March 2002
Article
- Puma Beat
Oct. 16, 2000
Review - NME
November 1999
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Live8 Report
by Patrick Gleason
September 2005
The first thing I heard when I got to Hyde Park that day was a wall
of
noise. Actually, the noise started quite some way from the park
itself. Everything seemed to focus in on this one event, and rightly
so. This was the second Live Aid, this was Bob Geldof pulling a
whole
bunch of artists together to raise awareness for a very worthwhile
cause. In short, this was history in the making.
The atmosphere, even before the show itself started, was electric.
Incredible, millions of people cramming into the same space, buzzing
with the excitement of being here, seeing this, and anticipation for
the acts. I heard hurried conversations, music fans talking about
which acts they were most looking forward to, almost falling over
themselves in their enthusiasm.
They were well rewarded. The opening, with Sir Paul McCartney and
Bono
playing "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", was phenomenal. To
see that song being performed by one of the Beatles was a treat in
itself, but the costumed extras on the stage and the passion it was
performed with made it second to none. That was really something to
witness.
The whole day was astounding. Being in the crowd, you really knew
that
this was an important occasion, something that would be documented
and
remembered for years to come. The performances were excellent,
notably
U2's of "One" and Bono's speech before it.
A truly moving moment came when the screens showed the Philadelphia,
US concert. The advertising campaign for Live8 features people
clicking their fingers every three seconds. That is how often a
child
dies from poverty in Africa, every three seconds. Will Smith, on
stage
in Philadelphia, held his hand up and clicked his fingers every
three
seconds, and got the whole audience at that venue to do so in time
with him – and then was connected via satellite to every other Live8
concert around the world, including London, and got every member of
the audiences to click their fingers every three seconds in time
with
his. All you could hear was the echo of the clicks all around you.
Several people near me had tears in their eyes. It was just an
incredible thing to experience.
Being at a hopefully world-changing event like Live8 makes you
reflect
on Life a little. I'm a curmudgeonly old – well, old-er – man now,
I'm
allowed to be nostalgic. Seeing so many musicians get up and do
their
thing on stage, it reminded me of the old days, the early days with
DriveSHAFT when we'd just get together and jam, Charlie with his
bass
scribbling notes on the back of his hand when he ran out of paper
(which he invariably did, because he never brought enough paper –
later on in the band's life, Zap bought him a notebook to use
instead
of scraps he'd lose half of, and Charlie *still* wrote on his
hands),
Liam singing and handing round the drinks, Sinjin strumming his
guitar, me trying out rhythms and beats. I miss having drumsticks in
my hands, sometimes, and a pedal under my foot. Most of all, I miss
making music; the buzz of those jamming sessions, when what we were
creating was raw and edgy and more potential than song, was like
nothing else.
I missed Charlie the most, that day. When I first started going to
gigs, it was Charlie who I'd go with, Charlie who I'd share that
experience with. I've talked to Sinjin and Liam a bit recently,
Sinjin's doing some solo touring in the States, and Liam's doing
well
with his family. We all miss Charlie. There's usually a moment, when
I
go to gigs now, where it's just a bit weird being there without him.
He'd have really enjoyed Live8. Annie Lennox's performance was
stunning, and when Bob Geldof came on stage and introduced the woman
who'd been helped by Live Aid, the atmosphere in the crowd was
simply
incredible. I've been a fan of Bob's for years, to see him on stage
and doing what he does best was such a rush. Madonna's set was
great,
old favourites and some newer songs, widely regarded as the best set
of the day.
Of course, I was waiting on tenterhooks for The Who. They're just
not
the same without Keith Moon. Keith was practically the reason I
started drumming in the first place, and The Who without Keith,
well.
The style's very different, drumming-wise at least, but they're
still
The Who and I couldn't wait. In the meantime and on the newer band
front, the Scissor Sisters gave an excellent show, really got the
crowd going. I very much enjoy how Patrick Seacor plays, he has a
good, distinctive sound. I also got a kick out of seeing Snow
Patrol,
Melissa bought me their album for Christmas and I like it.
It was late by the time The Who came on stage, but nobody showed any
signs of flagging. Far from it, we were all still buzzing from
Robbie
Williams's "We Will Rock You", always a great stomp-clap number. At
last, The Who were on, Pete and Simon, Roger, John, Damon, Steve
White
on drums. They played "Won't Get Fooled Again" and it was like being
a
teenager again, in awe of these men making such inspiring music. By
the time the Floyd took to the stage, the euphoria was palpable. The
opening to "Money" started, and everyone just went wild.
Paul McCartney ending the show with "The Long and Winding Road" and
then everyone piling onto the stage for "Hey Jude" … I'll never
forget
it. The whole day was outstanding, and being there is really
something
I'll always remember.

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